Obituary of Mariana Louise Zuelsdorf

Mariana Louise (Hornbrook) Zuelsdorf died peacefully in her home at The Lakes in Banning, CA,  where she enjoyed wonderful company and care over the last year of her life. She was 71 years old, but as far as all her grandchildren knew, she was only 13.

Mariana is survived by her daughters Katryn Robinson (Don) of Banning, CA and Kristin Grammer (John) of Yucaipa, CA; her sisters Nancy Hunt (Tom) of Banning, CA, Sally Scott (Dave) of Chico, CA, David Hornbrook (Inci) of San Diego, CA, Lucy Montgomery (Cliff) of Henderson, NV. She loved her four grandchildren Rebecca Webster of Boulder, CO, Elizabeth Webster of San Diego, CA, Ryan Grammer of Yucaipa, CA and Emma Grammer of Yucaipa, CA.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Gary A. Zuelsdorf and her brother, Jeffrey Hornbrook of Henderson, NV.

Mariana was born on December 1, 1945 in New Martinsville, WV to Dr. Eugene and Martha Hornbrook. She graduated from Grossmont High School in San Diego, CA in 1963 and married her high school sweetheart, Gary, in 1967. The couple began military life with the Air Force and moved to Enid, Oklahoma. From every transfer location, Mariana transformed living quarters that were often only temporary into loving, beautiful homes around the world. She taught her family to embrace change and enjoy each moment and each opportunity to meet new people and explore new areas of the world. She loved to travel and celebrated other cultures and history.

Mariana was a homemaker who enjoyed being involved. She was a true community volunteer: The military base thrift shop, the hospital, band camp and Girl Scouts. She was always available to help. As a Girl Scout Leader for many years, Mariana helped both her daughters achieve the Girl Scout Gold Award.  

Mariana excelled at all crafts and hobbies and loved to tackle any project. Despite her tremor, she taught stained glass, created amazing cross stitch, quilted, painted, remodeled homes, rebuilt antique furniture, and built beautiful custom doll houses. She loved to garden and would spend hours outside. Her David Austin roses were her treasures.  She helped thousands of people with her genealogy research dedicating countless hours to help others. Her family is honored to enjoy her works of art.

She was a true bargain hunter and loved to shop. She knew every location of every Goodwill, thrift store and Tuesday Morning within a 200 mile radius. She would often plan her vacations around her favorite bargain spots.

Above all, Mariana loved to laugh and loved being young. Mariana taught her children and grandchildren that anything is possible with the right attitude and love of life. She lived by the rule that, “It is okay not to grow up” and “Always eat dessert first!”