Heinz Franz Paetau

Heinz Franz Paetau, age 93, died peacefully Sunday, May 25, 2014 at Trinity View Retirement Community in Arden, North Carolina. Heinz was born February 26, 1921 in L�beck, Germany. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Hella Glade Paetau. Heinz immigrated to Oak Park, Illinois from Germany in 1954. Not speaking the language, Heinz and Hella attended night classes and became U.S. citizens on April 17, 1962. He quickly established himself as an expert cabinet maker for Pepper Construction Company in Chicago, Illinois. Upon retirement, Heinz and Hella moved to Asheville, North Carolina and became active in two German clubs and enjoyed exploring the beauty of the Great Smokey Mountains. Heinz was an avid card player and also enjoyed the music of artists such as Luciano Pavarotti and Andr� Rieu. Heinz and Hella traveled throughout the USA visiting their children and grandchildren and, on occasion, returned to Germany to see family and friends. Surviving are his four children: son Gerhard Paetau and his wife, Donna of Marietta, Georgia; son Holger Paetau and his wife, Marcia of Claremont, California; daughter Rosemary Petersen and her husband, Paul of Clinton Twp., Michigan; daughter Cornelia Motsinger and her husband, Michael of Raleigh, North Carolina; sister Lisa M�eller and her husband, Heinz and sister Gretel Schwartz, both of L�beck, Germany as well as 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. A private family gathering will be held Saturday, May 31st in Arden, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731.