Madeleine Vorwaller

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Madeleine Elisabeth Pfister Vorwaller, age 90, passed away peacefully at her home in American Fork, Utah on December 16, 2022, surrounded by her loving husband and children. Our hearts are saddened but are grateful for our knowledge of eternal families and have faith in God's plan that we will see her again. Affectionately known by her family as "Swiss Mutti" or "Oma"; she lived a full life always staying positive by responding to life's challenges with courage, optimism, and determination. Madeleine was independent and truly devoted to family, service, the Gospel, and was happiest when serving others or involved with her family and friends.

Madeleine was born May 24, 1932, in Wilderswil, Bern, Switzerland to Karl (Charles) Eduard Pfister and Jenny Borgeaud Pfister. She was the youngest of 9 children with 4 brothers - Willy, Charles, Gaston, and Andre and 4 sisters - Raymonde, Jenny, Suzanne, and Lena. Early in her life, she developed a love for learning, art, music, dance, and snow skiing. She became multi-lingual and spoke German, Swiss-German, French and Italian. As a young girl, she tragically lost both of her parents to illnesses; her father when she was 5 and her mother when she was 14. For three years she was blessed to live with some of her siblings. In her youth, her older sister Jenny joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and took her and other siblings to church on a regular basis that resulted in a life-long foundation of faith in God and a deep love for the Gospel. At the tender age of 17, Madeleine embarked on a new life in America to join her sister Lena (who had relocated there earlier), traveling alone on trains, ocean liner ships, and buses from Switzerland to Idaho to work as a nanny. There she learned to speak English and later relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she worked at a bank, attended college, and participated with several Swiss-Americans in performances of singing, dancing, and yodeling. At the age of 21, she returned to her beloved Switzerland in service as a full time missionary. After her mission and through mutual friends, she was introduced to Charles J. Vorwaller. They were married on September 5, 1958, in the Salt Lake Temple. She became an American citizen shortly before the birth of her first child and maintained dual American and Swiss citizenship.

Through the years, Charles and Madeleine lived in Salt Lake City, Utah; Topeka, Kansas; Sioux City, Iowa, Colorado Springs, Colorado and American Fork, Utah; creating many wonderful memories and friends at each home. Their longest tenure was 48 years (1970 - 2018) in Colorado Springs, Colorado where they raised their family of 7 children. She encouraged each child to be their best and supported them in academics, art lessons, music lessons, and sports. Their children learned by example, how to work hard, be honest and provide service to others. She served countless home-cooked meals to family, friends and anyone that came into their home. Their home was open to many friends and extended family members for varying periods of time (and included many animals).

When Madeleine was 55, she returned to school and began a new career as a licensed neuromuscular massage therapist, that she combined with her knowledge of nutrition and healthy living helping others have a better life. Upon the retirement of Charles, she spent several years serving alongside him in blessing the lives of many through 5 Church missions (4 of them in Europe).

Madeleine loved her Savior and was a dedicated and faithful member of the church throughout her life. She served diligently and effectively in many callings as a teacher and leader. She especially enjoyed working with the women in Relief Society teaching them home-making skills and food storage and spent her later years serving in the Denver Temple.

She loved getting to know people, checking in on them and having great conversations. She made friends with everyone she met and inspired and changed us through her smile, joy, hugs, and enduring faith. Madeleine was a ray of sunshine and a blessing to so many and will be missed.

Madeleine is survived by the love of her life and eternal companion, Charles J. Vorwaller. Together they enjoyed 64 plus years of marriage. She was a devoted and dedicated wife, loving, supportive during both the greatest and worst times in life. They were truly inseparable and tried to make every decision as a team.

She is survived by three sons, Charles (Kathy) Parker, CO; David (Amy) Centennial, CO; Richard (Adrienne) Colorado Springs, CO; her three daughters, Rebecca (Peter) Burnett, American Fork, UT; Wendy (Brad) Lindsey, Pleasant Grove, UT; and Julie (Mike) Lewis, Orem, UT; 27 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren (with 3 on the way). She was grateful and loved each one.

She was preceded in death by her sweet youngest daughter, Heidi Maree Vorwaller (August 26, 1972 - April 20, 1982), her parents and her siblings.

The family extends deep gratitude to all who provided friendship, love, and support throughout Madeleine's life, especially in recent years.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 11:00 am, in the Olpin Family Mortuary Chapel, 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Family and friends may attend a viewing from 9:30 - 10:45 am prior to funeral services. Graveside services will be at 12:30 pm in the American Fork City Cemetery, where she will be interred. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in memory of Madeleine Vorwaller to the LDS Church Humanitarian Aid Fund (1-800-525-8074) - Humanitarian Aid Fund (churchofjesuschrist.org) Please follow the link at the bottom of the page.