An impressive life. But an even more impressive woman.
Grandma Eva’s Life Story
First of all, we would like to thank our dear Grandma Eva from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for her joy, for her loving nature that made us grandchildren and great-grandchildren laugh time and again, and for all the work she carried out with such dedication over so many years.
She experienced much in her life – both good times and difficult ones – and throughout it all, she always remained true to herself. She was a role model to many and, in our eyes, the best grandmother in the world. We often listened as she spoke about the past: about the hard work in times when there was no electricity, no running water, and no proper road to Neuberg; about evenings of dancing and traditional folk dances, and about everyday life on the farm – a life that, despite all its hardships, always made room for joy and togetherness.
44 diaries since 1988
What we found particularly remarkable: since 1988, Grandma Evi had been keeping a tireless diary. Day by day, she recorded what was happening in the world and in Neuberg – filling a total of 43 books with fascinating accounts of her life, and she was just beginning work on her 44th book.
As is often the case with grandmothers, she always had the best advice at hand, knew our family tree by heart, and could share countless stories from the past and from everyday life. Conversations with her were both enlightening and exciting – funny anecdotes, old tales, and memorable experiences constantly came to light.
And so, we asked our grandma:
“Grandma, when and where were you born and what was the world like that you were born into?”
“I was the eldest of seven children and was born on 14th December 1932. When I was born, World War I was just 14 years gone and the traces were still noticeable. World War II was just coming. It began in September 1939. We didn't have much, but we were happy with what we had. That wouldn't hurt people today.”
“When you were so many children, did you definitely play together? What games did you play when you were growing up? Or did you read a lot?”
“Temple hopping, one game was called. We played Ludo a lot and with my doll. Of course, we were outside a lot with the animals. Additionally, we collected pine cones and small roots in the forest. There we built a stable for our cone animals. In winter, of course, we went sledging. We didn’t read much. We only had 1 newspaper per week.”
“How did a normal day go?”
“Father went to work. He was employed in the highways maintenance. Mother looked after the children and the stable. She was hard-working and orderly. We inherited that from her! We got up at half past six and at 8 pm we had to be in bed. My sister and I, we had to be at school by half past seven. But before that, we had to do some work in the stable. Watering the cows using the 2 buckets from the well. I loved going to school as my friends were there. After school, the housework waited. In the evening, we had to wash our Dirndls, sweep the kitchen and dry the dishes. Our mother was sat on the spinning wheel.”
“What was your favourite food?”
“Meat pastries, apple and marmalade cake, cabbage or meat dumplings, muas, scotch soup, polenta, milk soup. My favourite food was, of course, everything with meat. That was only available on special days. But also on Sunday, from time to time, we had sausage dumplings. We didn't even have sausages all year round. My God, what a pleasure it is today.”
“How did you manage the household?”
“Everything used to be much slower. Everything was done by hand, but it worked. Everything was washed and cleaned without chemical agents. There was only soda, soap and a brush. Washing the laundry always took the longest. It was soaked in a vat with ash lime, boiled in a steamer, of course only the white laundry, then brushed with a brush and deer soap, spun, sponged in cold water and hung up. Every Wednesday and Saturday we had to clean the kitchen floor.”
“What do you think was the most ingenious invention?”
“Electricity. We got electric light in 1955. At that time, we had the first 25-Watt light bulb above the kitchen and parlour table. Otherwise, it was 15 Watts in the bedrooms, stable and in the hallway. And they always had to be turned off! Save electricity! The first electrical appliance was the iron in 1957 and then the washing machine.”
“What about your school and education?”
“I was first at school for 7 years. Of course, always on foot. I think the school day started at 8 a.m. I don't know for sure anymore. It's been over 75 years! Our school subjects were manners, arithmetic, writing, reading, drawing, local history, gymnastics, singing and religion. Also handicraft and that was my favourite subject. Later, I always wanted to be a cook or seamstress. Unfortunately, I didn't then study anything. At that time you had to pay a lot of money for an apprenticeship and unfortunately we didn't have that.
My first job was as a stable girl for a farmer and my earnings was 1 bag of sheep wool for 4 months of work. However, I started at the Landhaus Stadler as a cook for the Stadler family. I read lots and taught myself how to cook. Girls of my age used to read love stories whereas I just read cookbooks.”
"Where did you spend your spare time? And did you go out in your teenage years?”
“I was in the local brass band. So, we had to march at a lot of festivals and masked balls, which were very popular. There were no discos like today. I also met Grandpa at a masked ball. We went to weddings, shoe-slapping evenings, curling, maybe even a carnival or fire brigade ball.”
“What was it like with Grandpa when you met and then got married?”
“It was just before my 22nd birthday when he asked me if I wanted to marry him. I said “yes”, of course. It used to be the case that you had to ask the bride's parents for her hand in marriage. Everything worked out well. On our wedding day it was cold, but nice, with lots of snow. We married on 21.11.1954. I was married to your grandpa then for 59 years.”
“And then you soon became a mum?”
“Yes, exactly. Our Elfriede was born in 1955, followed by Evi in 1956, Seppi in 1957 and Martin in 1959. 2 girls and 2 boys - great!”
“What is your most important tip for a successful relationship?”
“Love above all. Mutual respect, understanding and everlasting togetherness in every respect.”
“When did you first fly abroad?”
“That was 1977, a holiday in Gran Canaria. It was also our 1st flight. 3 weeks lazing around - that was too much for me!”
“What music did you like to listen to in the past?”
“Well, what do you think - folk music and pop!”
“What was your favourite piece of clothing?”
“The Dirndl dress, my costume, which I wore at our wedding and of course the 1st Salzburg traditional outfit.”
“What are the milestones of Neubergerhof/Bacherhof and tourism in Filzmoos?"
- 1955 – Filzmoos gets its first post office, which was of course sensational for such a small community
- 1958 - Founding of the transport association in Filzmoos (today's tourist board)
- 1965 - on the 1st April, the foundation stone was laid for the Neubergerhof
- 1970 - The opening of the gravel plant in Neuberg. Sand mining for the motorway. It was a difficult time and it took 10 years. But afterwards it was an advantage for our access road to the rearmost Neuberg
- 1974 - The energy holidays were introduced in February, which was very good for tourism
- 1988 - The new Bacherhof was built and then Martin and his Maria moved in there
- 1993 - we handed over the business to our Martin and Sepp. Good luck!
- After that, everything took its course: my children, and later my grandchildren, shaped the Neubergerhof into what it is today.
“And what are the most beautiful things in your life?”
“My 4 children, the 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, who are all very close to my heart. For me, harmony is the greatest gift and, of course, health. But the continuation of the Bacherhof and Neubergerhof is also important for me. But my loved ones are already doing it.”
There was so much more she could have shared…
One thing we know for certain from her wisdom and life experiences: no matter where in the world you call home, it is love, togetherness, and harmony that truly matter.
These values have given and continue to give us courage and strength to carry on the Neubergerhof in the way she showed us – with love and passion, surrounded by the beautiful nature of Neuberg.
This page is a loving tribute to our beloved Grandma Eva and preserves her stories and memories for us and for generations to come. On December 7th, 2025, she passed away on the day of the reopening of our new house after the tragic fire. In a moment of new beginnings, we had to say goodbye. All the more, we carry her words, her strength, and her warmth in our hearts – as part of our history and as the lasting soul of our home.