On August 8th, 2022, the irreplaceable and beloved Friederike "Ricki" Hermine Looser, née Hufgard, of Bluffton, South Carolina, passed away at the age of 81. Ricki was deeply loved by all for a long list of reasons. She was the cherished wife of Ulrich "Uli" Looser, 89, for 62 years; loving mother to Caren J. Looser-Geiger (wife of Bob Geiger) and Audrey J. Looser-Pahlavan (wife of Mark Pahlavan); devoted Oma to granddaughter, Ava Petal Pahlavan, 22; dear sister to Hannelore Heyeck; and loving Tante to nephews Thor, Erik, and Curt Heyeck; as well as others in Switzerland. Her daughters, Caren and Audrey, and nephew, Curt, welcomed her into Heaven. Born in Germany on September 24, 1940, Ricki spent most of her childhood in Aschaffenburg. Although her young life was spent in the shadow of World War II, her parents, Alma and Wilhelm Hufgard, provided a loving home. She immigrated to the United States in 1960, the first of many trips across the Atlantic. Ricki and Uli married in 1961 and settled in Chester, NJ. Naturally inclined to help others, she began a successful real estate career as her girls grew. As a devoted mother and consummate homemaker, Ricki perfected her lifelong hobbies of baking, cooking, and knitting. She entertained with grace and flair; setting gorgeous tables, planning elaborate menus, and ensuring everyone was well-fed and more than happy. Ricki made sure everyone who surrounded her had nothing but the best. Holidays were always special, steeped in the traditions of her native Germany and Uli's native Switzerland. Especially through her renowned Christmas cookies; every year was a flurry of baking heaps of cookies to serve to her many guests, mail to various destinations across the world, and give to everyone in her neighborhood. She consistently decorated spectacularly to complement all the baking and entertaining; highlighted by an enormous 14-foot natural pine — so large it had to be secured to the walls with rope — at their New Jersey home. Ricki would decorate with the hundreds of sparkling ornaments they collected during their travels or were hand crafted by Ricki and their girls. For years, the christmas tree would stay up until past easter. Always a generous spirit, she would delight family and friends with frequent, thoughtful, and unexpected gifts, many homemade. Her skill in knitting was unparalleled; she could easily carry on a conversation while her always-busy hands flew through incredibly complicated patterns. She knitted her way through untold skeins of yarn, which she transformed into the most beautiful blankets, scarves, hats, gloves, barbie clothes, and more — often for charity. To receive one of her creations was to receive a work of art. When she wasn't knitting she was often in the kitchen, baking and cooking for just about everyone. Friends and neighbors could expect a hot meal — a comforting soup, an irish soda bread, or a tin of treats — if they were going through a challenging time and often for no reason other than Ricki love language was food. She was famous for her split-pea soup and delivered vats of it throughout the years to many grateful recipients. Ricki cherished the moments she spent in the kitchen teaching her girls, and later her granddaughter, all she knew. Petal is sure to feel her beloved Oma beside her everywhere and especially as she carries on the family's traditions. Ricki was fiercely proud of her family; she delighted in her daughters and granddaughter and their many achievements. Her smile was always brightest when talking about them — and she was always talking about them. In 2007, the Looser’s relocated to Bluffton, SC to retire near a golf course and the ocean. As in every other community Ricki lived, she made friendships deep and wide. Ricki befriended everyone who came into her orbit — neighbors, shop owners, restaurateurs, farmers, bakers, gardeners, servers, clerks, nurses, doctors, workers, and more. She gave of her time, talents and resources freely. Whether knitting blankets and hats for newborns, delivering a meal, helping a lost stranger, or making sure a single mother could feed her family, Ricki gave generously and with love. Ricki will remain with us as loving memories and deeply missed by all who knew her.
Visitation: 2:00 - 4:00 PM; Monday; August 15, 2022 at Sauls Funeral Home (90 Simmonsville Rd.; Bluffton, SC 29910)
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