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Stefanie Hildegard Tanis
Stefanie Hildegard Weidinger Tanis, 83, passed away April 20, 2023, at Norfolk General Hospital. Born in Crimmitschau, Saxony, Germany on October 23, 1939. She was predeceased by her parents, Paul Karl Weidinger and Hildegard Fehse Weidinger. Growing up in East Germany she was enamored with textiles but after her father’s death she escaped the rigors of Communism by herself at age 16 to seek freedom. Stefanie’s strikingly good looks combined with intensely blue eyes caught the attention of fashion houses. She became a model appearing in shows in Frankfurt, Paris and Milan and other European fashion centers.
While in the United States she met and married a young Special Forces officer, David Tanis. They had two children, Colette (Bruce) Griffin and Stephen (Richard) Tanis. After her husband was severely wounded in combat in Viet Nam, she turned her attention to his rehabilitation and the raising of her children. After her husband finished law school in Winston-Salem, Stefanie used her background in fashion and textiles to begin a storied career working at the Shop of the Ragpicker – a local, high fashion boutique in Winston-Salem. There she grew a loyal clientele who trusted her fashion expertise to dress and style them, building many lifelong friendships along the way.
Later in life, Stefanie began to teach conversational German at the local community college and was recruited by Wake Forest University to teach the German Language and German Literature where her vivaciousness, energy, and love for the language captivated her students. Her classes were often interspersed with fascinating personal tales and shared real-life experiences.
Stefanie is survived by her husband, two children, and two grandchildren, Samantha Donley of Bellevue, Kentucky, and Stephen Griffin of Winston-Salem. Stefanie was always elegant with a love for fashion, beauty, cooking, and entertaining. As an expert cook and baker, she often expressed her love to family and friends through lavish meals, ending with a plethora of wonderful homemade pastries, and always accompanied by her hearty laugh and warmth.
An avid lover of nature and animals, Stefanie made sure to care for the local feral felines, and any possums or raccoons that happened by. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Feline Hope, via www.felinehope.org. No services are planned. Please share condolences with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences
Hello Dave, Min and I are so sorry to hear the news about Stefanie. Hope you are doing okay. Best regards, Min and Al DelGarbino
So sorry to hear about Stefanie, Dave. Blessings to you.
She was definitely a special woman and will be missed . Hugs and prayers to you all ❤️❤️❤️🙏
Dave- you two made a big impression on my life from the beginning, and our lives together as we reached adulthood. Stephanie was a fiery ball of energy that we always loved interacting with in our time with you both.
It's so hard to believe that hearty laugh is silent now and our discussions solving the problems of the world are over. We'll miss you Steph.
Dave, I wish I knew the right thing to say, but Kathy and I have our prayers for you. Although we didn't know Steffi personally; we knew you and the life you had created together.
She will be greatly missed. Love and Prayers to the family. 💕
Stunned to learn of Stephanie's passing. My thoughts remain with you, Dave, and your family.
She will always be remembered as a wonderful and elegant woman to me. My prayers are with the family at this sad time.
We are so sorry to hear of her passing. She was a wonderful person and we are blessed to have known her. Our deepest sympathy to you Judge and Steve and Colette. Hugh & Melissa Rardin
Rest in peace, Steffi❤️
My sincere condolences for the loss of your wife, mother and Oma. She was so fun to be around. May God’s peace be with you all. Love, Sandy
I wish I had words that could comfort. Thinking of your family.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Sending our prayers and condolences to you and yours.
Dave and family, Stephanie was a huge part of my Duck years; many talks around that kitchen table, 4th of July celebrations, Deck parties and years of summer at the beach. Stef was a joy to be around - she was vibrant and had a personality larger than life - she was the template for vivacious! My heart aches to hear that accent and laugh again. Bayberry will never be the same.
I hadn’t seen Mrs Tanis for a very long time but I remember her quite vividly as she was quite a remarkable woman & I was always fascinated by her. My condolences to you on her passing- this life here is temporary & I believe we will all be together again someday on the deck of our true home. With love & empathy, LuAnn❤️🩹
Dave and family, we send our heartfelt condolences. Steffi has been a good friend. We will miss her.
Dave, I am sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Mom enjoyed Stephanie so much- great memories. Praying for your comfort. ❤️
I was very sorry to hear of the loss of Stefanie. She was such a nice and very interesting lady. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers. You have my deepest sympathy.
Dave, I'm thinking of you and know that I'm sharing in your loss. Didn't know Stefanie but I do know she's in a better place, as well as Marilyn, my wife. I miss seeing you, Dave, and hope you'll be OK. Blessings, Reid
Collette, I am so sorry to hear the news. Loosing a mom is so very hard. Condolences to you and your family. Big hug!
Dave,our deepest. Sympathy in your great.loss
Dave - I was so sad to get the phone call last night from you about Stef. I have so many fond memories of her and was blessed to have known her. She was so much fun to be around and I know I, along with many others, will miss that hearty laugh she had and her vivacious spirit. Peace be with you and your family.
David and family: I am saddened by your loss. What a beautiful soul and what a great life journey! David - i don’t know who is more blessed- you to have had such a beautiful wife and mother and life friend, or her for being a part of your lives and your journeys. I am sorry I did know her as much as I have come to know you, but I am certain she is busy making a place for the rest of us lovelier once we all are reunited. Our condolences. Charles Shelton (Dr Shelton)
Dave, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember you telling me about Stephanie the first time I met you. The story of your relationship is truly an inspiration. Though I never met her, the incredible strength, love, and honor she has shown throughout her life will remain in my heart. You and your family have been in my prayers since her passing.
Dear Mr, Tanis, We are so sorry to hear about your wife passing away. Please accept out thoughts and prayers for you and your family. We know this isn't an easy time for you but please know how much we care. James and Sharon Stanley
Dave - We are so sorry to hear of Steffi’s passing, and will never forget her. ❤️ May God’s Peace be a comfort to you, dear friend.
Hello Dave,
Min and I are so sorry to hear the news about Stefanie.
Hope you are doing okay.
Best regards,
Min and Al DelGarbino
So sorry to hear about Stefanie, Dave.
Blessings to you.
She was definitely a special woman and will be missed . Hugs and prayers to you all ❤️❤️❤️🙏
Dave- you two made a big impression on my life from the beginning, and our lives together as we reached adulthood. Stephanie was a fiery ball of energy that we always loved interacting with in our time with you both.
It’s so hard to believe that hearty laugh is silent now and our discussions solving the problems of the world are over. We’ll miss you Steph.
Dave, I wish I knew the right thing to say, but Kathy and I have our prayers for you. Although we didn’t know Steffi personally; we knew you and the life you had created together.
She will be greatly missed. Love and Prayers to the family. 💕
Stunned to learn of Stephanie’s passing. My thoughts remain with you, Dave, and your family.
She will always be remembered as a wonderful and elegant woman to me. My prayers are with the family at this sad time.
We are so sorry to hear of her passing. She was a wonderful person and we are blessed to have known her. Our deepest sympathy to you Judge and Steve and Colette. Hugh & Melissa Rardin
Rest in peace, Steffi❤️
My sincere condolences for the loss of your wife, mother and Oma. She was so fun to be around. May God’s peace be with you all. Love, Sandy
I wish I had words that could comfort. Thinking of your family.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Sending our prayers and condolences to you and yours.
Dave and family,
Stephanie was a huge part of my Duck years; many talks around that kitchen table, 4th of July celebrations, Deck parties and years of summer at the beach. Stef was a joy to be around – she was vibrant and had a personality larger than life – she was the template for vivacious! My heart aches to hear that accent and laugh again. Bayberry will never be the same.
I hadn’t seen Mrs Tanis for a very long time but I remember her quite vividly as she was quite a remarkable woman & I was always fascinated by her. My condolences to you on her passing- this life here is temporary & I believe we will all be together again someday on the deck of our true home.
With love & empathy,
LuAnn❤️🩹
Dave and family, we send our heartfelt condolences. Steffi has been a good friend. We will miss her.
Dave,
I am sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Mom enjoyed Stephanie so much- great memories. Praying for your comfort. ❤️
I was very sorry to hear of the loss of Stefanie. She was such a nice and very interesting lady. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers. You have my deepest sympathy.
Dave, I’m thinking of you and know that I’m sharing in your loss. Didn’t know Stefanie but I do know she’s in a better place, as well as Marilyn, my wife. I miss seeing you, Dave, and hope you’ll be OK. Blessings, Reid
Collette, I am so sorry to hear the news. Loosing a mom is so very hard. Condolences to you and your family. Big hug!
Dave,our deepest. Sympathy in your great.loss
Dave – I was so sad to get the phone call last night from you about Stef. I have so many fond memories of her and was blessed to have known her. She was so much fun to be around and I know I, along with many others, will miss that hearty laugh she had and her vivacious spirit. Peace be with you and your family.
David and family: I am saddened by your loss. What a beautiful soul and what a great life journey! David – i don’t know who is more blessed- you to have had such a beautiful wife and mother and life friend, or her for being a part of your lives and your journeys. I am sorry I did know her as much as I have come to know you, but I am certain she is busy making a place for the rest of us lovelier once we all are reunited. Our condolences.
Charles Shelton (Dr Shelton)
Dave, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember you telling me about Stephanie the first time I met you. The story of your relationship is truly an inspiration. Though I never met her, the incredible strength, love, and honor she has shown throughout her life will remain in my heart. You and your family have been in my prayers since her passing.
Dear Mr, Tanis,
We are so sorry to hear about your wife passing away. Please accept out thoughts and prayers for you and your family. We know this isn’t an easy time for you but please know how much we care.
James and Sharon Stanley
Dave –
We are so sorry to hear of Steffi’s passing, and will never forget her. ❤️
May God’s Peace be a comfort to you, dear friend.