Maruska Volaric Houser

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Maruska Volaric Houser, age 99, Wednesday, February 14, 2024. She is survived by 4 of her 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Maruska was born in Yugoslavia (now Slovenia) in 1924. She was one of four beautiful daughters of Josefina and Andrej Volaric. She grew up in the small, beautiful village of Kobarid, where she had an idyllic childhood, walking the mountains with the family goats. She attended sewing school in the village, which gave her a lifelong love of sewing her own glamorous outfits.

World War II caused her to flee to Italy, where she met her American husband, Ralph Houser, who served with the U.S. Army. The life of an Army wife took her to many places around the world.  She settled down in Virginia in a home overlooking the Appalachian Mountains, as she used to overlook the Krn mountains as a child.

Maruska was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them.

She loved the outdoors, and walked the Creeper Trail daily and grew the most beautiful garden full of flowers.

Never one to sit still she obtained her high school degree and education as a Nursing Assistant. She worked as a Senior Companion into her nineties. She enjoyed volunteering at the Barter Theater and the Appalachian Independence Center.

Maruska will be missed for her sense of humor, her many exciting tales of life during the war, smuggling cheese and being arrested by Nazis, and for her lasagna. She lived a full life that we are proud of.