Adelheid taught English and French literature at college preparatory schools in Germany for six years.

She earned her Ph.D. in English Literature from Arizona State University in 1994. She taught in the English Department (Writing Programs) at ASU since 1995 and served as Associate Director of Writing Programs since 2013 as a resource for colleagues and students, work that she continued until several weeks before her death. 

She was truly passionate about her work and assisted countless students, family, friends, and strangers in developing resumes and cover letters, helping them launch their professional careers. Adelheid was an inspiration to all who knew her and touched innumerable lives through her compassion and charitable spirit.

She was active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Tempe, delivering food boxes to families in need for 23 years and serving as writer, editor, and publisher of the quarterly conference newsletter since 2001. She developed the conference website and was instrumental in setting up a digital database that increased efficiency of data processing in the conference.

She is survived by Horst, the love of her life and husband for 45 years; two daughters; and two grandchildren. 

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 2121 S. Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85282, or online at olmctempe.com.