Gertrude H. Warren

Gertrude Hildegard Warren 96 years-old, died on Saturday, March 2, 2019 in Niceville, Florida, from a myriad of afflictions accumulated through the latter part of her long life. Only her strong will to live and the love of her children and close friends sustained her and gave her strength to continue.

Gertrude was born on 14 Dec 1922 in Frankfurt, Germany, to Sofie and Wilhelm Stein.  She was the oldest of three children.  She grew up at a turbulent time in Germany as the world was in turmoil, suffering through the great depression and World War II.  Although she saw her share of adversity and tragedy, she faced the world with unparalleled hope and optimism.  She matured into a proud and dignified woman who had a passion for life and a wonderful sense of humor.  She also developed a stubborn steak that would later be inherited by her children.

Mom met her husband, Hans Bruse, immediately after WWII and that union brought wonderful twins into the world. Her son, Herbert and daughter Hildegard, became the love of her life and she devoted herself to their welfare.  Unfortunately, this six-year marriage was a rocky one and divorce was inevitable.  While raising her children alone for the next three years, fortune smiled on her and she met her future husband, Robert Warren, an American soldier.  The new family left Germany and moved to the United States where Gertrude, along with her children, became naturalized American citizens.  Mom would follow her husband, Robert, to new military assignments and eventually settle in Memphis, Tn., where they retired and began their adventurous travels to all parts of the globe.  That marriage lasted 58 years till Robert’s death in 2014.

Mom’s struggles are now at an end and she takes with her a lifetime of fulfilled hopes, dreams, experiences, and leaves behind pieces of herself in her children and true friends.

She is survived by her two loving children, three grandkids, eight great grandkids, and many nephews and nieces and countless friends.

Helen Keller once said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”  If our mother touched your hearts ----then we are all better for it.

Arrangements are being made through the McLaughlin Funeral Home in Niceville, Fl., with the intent of returning mom’s ashes to Memphis, Tn., to be buried along side her husband, sometime in the near future. Expressions of sympathy and support may be left online at www.mclaughlintwincities.com

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