Gerda B. Friedeman's Obituary
Gerda B. Friedeman of Fort Myers, FL passed away peacefully Thursday, March 26, 2015 in her home. She was 100. She was born May 04, 1914 in Muenster, Germany to the late Karl Waldeck and Henny Herzfeld Waldeck. She escaped the Holocaust by riding a bicycle out of Germany and boarding the last ship out of Holland. She arrived in the United States in 1940 and lived in New York City; Rome, NY; Fond du Lac, WI; Zanesville, OH and came to Cape Coral in 1964. Gerda actively volunteered her time and talents in many facets of Temple Beth El of Fort Myers including Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60+ years, Rabbi Simon Friedeman (June, 2001). Gerda is survived by her daughter, Ruth Stein (Joel) of Syracuse, NY; son, Elliott Friedeman (Joyce) of Fort Thomas, KY; 6 grandchildren, Chani Myhill, Joe Friedeman, Natalie Friedeman, Celeste Friedeman, Nate Federman, Joshua Federman and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m., Monday, March 30, 2015 at Temple Beth El 16225 Winkler Rd. Fort Myers, FL 33908. Interment will follow in the Temple Beth El section of City Cemetery in Fort Myers. Shiva will be observed at 7012 Cedarhurst Drive, Fort Myers on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 7:00 PM and friends may visit at that time. If desired, memorials may be made to Temple Beth El 16225 Winkler Rd. Fort Myers, FL 33908; Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties 9710 Commerce Center Court Fort Myers, FL 33908; The Holocaust and Education Center of Southwest Florida, Sandalwood Square, 4760 Tamiami Trail N #7, Naples, FL 34103 or to the Ft. Myers Community Concert Assoc., 17281 Brenfield Ln., Alva, FL 33920. Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences and memories may be shared on Gerda’s tribute page at www.fortmyersmemorial.com
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