Obituary of Gerta Ruth Copeland-Stauffer

Gerta Ruth Copeland Stauffer, 89, of Winter Haven, FL passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at The Meadows of Winter Haven due to heart failure. Born September 4, 1924 in Tesin, Czechoslovakia, she came to the United States as a child and moved to Florida in 1980 from Shreveport, Louisiana. As a child Gerta was a survivor of the Holocaust, and escaped by taking on a different identity and joining a Catholic convent. She assumed many roles during WWII including working at hospitals and being a translator for General Pattons office. She was also an interpreter at the Nuremberg Trials for a period of time. She came to the United States in 1951, was a Polio Survivor. She later became a naturalized citizen and was the Owner of Starlite Cosmetics a cosmetics manufacturer in Shreveport, LA. In 1968 she received the Daughters of the American Revolution Americanism Medal for outstanding leadership and patriotism. She was also a past Americanism chairman for the American Legion Auxiliary, and was a past member of the Women of Moose. Gerta is survived by: her husband of 14 years, Ross E. Stauffer; a daughter, Mimi Anderson of Fayetteville, NC; two sons, Dr. Harold D. Brandt of Baton Rouge, LA and Walter S. Brandt of Winter Haven, FL; and two grandchildren, Ashley Anderson, Allyson Peck; and three great-grandchildren. A Memorial service will be held for Gerta at 10 AM, Friday, August 29, 2014 The Meadows of Winter Haven, 3050 Woodmont Avenue, Winter Haven, FL 33884 863-324-7300. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations in her name to the Alzheimer's Assn. at www.alz.org or to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823. Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.