Obituary of Nellie M. Wurzbach

Bolton Landing: Nellie M. Wurzbach, 104, of South Trout Lake Rd., passed away peacefully Friday, September 28, 2012 at Westmount Health Facility, surrounded by her loving family. Born May 23, 1908 in Bremen, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Anna (Krellwitz) and Friedrich Wischhusen. Nellie graduated from Bremen public school and contintued her education and apprenticeship in the field of dress making. In 1927, she and her sister emigrated to New York City, in 1928 she met and married Walter O. Wurzbach. In New York she found employment in high-fashion custom dress making. She was able to create the pattern and first dress from the designer’s sketch. She worked for well known designers: Jane Derby, Charles James, and New York Ballet designer, Madame Karinska. Later she worked for the exclusive Henri Bendel company where she was proud to have sewn for Helen Keller. In 1947, Nellie and Walter vacationed in Lake George and fell in love with the area. They relocated from Yonkers to Bolton Landing, where they bought and developed a small house-keeping cottage resort, “Trout Lake Village” on Trout Lake. During this period she also worked at the McMullen dress factory in Glens Falls. Besides her parents, Nellie was predeceased by her beloved husband, Walter; her brother, Theodore Wischhusen; a grandson, John Erik Villesvik; and son-in-law, John U. Villesvik. Survivors include her daughter, Mary Ann “Heidi” (Villesvik) Lewis and her husband, Robert P.; a son, Walter O. Wurzbach and his wife, Ann; a sister, Mrs. Hubert (Kitty) Otto; grandchildren: Terri Lee Bryan, Walter F. Wurzbach, Robert H. Wurzbach, Karen Villesvik (Philip) Williams, Debra (James) LaMantia, and Lugene (Paul) Heimel; great-grandchildren: April Wurzbach, Jahanan Williams, Justin (Lisa) Pucci, Zachary Pucci, and Blair Heimel; great-great-grandson, Daniel Pucci. She also leaves behind two nieces, three great-nephews nephews, and special friends, Marion Warnock and Jean Dansen. According to Nellie’s wishes there will be no formal viewing and burial will be at a later date for family members only. Friends may gather to celebrate her life from 1-3 pm, Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathty may take the form of donations in Nellie’s memory to a charity of one’s choice, or to Westmount Health Facility, c/o Resident Council, 42 Gurney Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804. Nellie’s family would like to thank Dr. Bryan Smead and all her caregivers at Westmount for their compassionate and loving care. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, condolences and directions.