Gerda Maria Stief Hollinger

Gerda was born in Augsburg, Germany on January 10,1934. Her mother was Anna Stief, and she did not know her father as her parents never married. Gerda's mother came to America in 1935 and Gerda was to follow her, after her mother had a chance to learn the English language and get a job. Unfortunately, because of world tensions, the borders got closed before Gerda could leave Germany. She ended up staying in Germany during the entire time of the second World War. When the bombings of Augsburg intensified because of the local German war supporting industries, Gerda and the children, who had relatives living in the country away from the cities were, for the children's safety, moved to the country. Gerda's cousin, who lived in the German country took Gerda in, i.e., until the Russians overtook that part of Germany. Unfortunately, Gerda's cousin lived in what became the Russian occupied part of Germany, i.e., East Germany. Since her cousin had such a nice house, the Russians took it over and Gerda and her cousin were ruthlessly evicted. Gerda and her adult cousin walked for six days, just trying to survive and stay away from the Russians. About the end of the sixth day, many of the Germans who were walking along the country roads were rounded up by the Russians, loaded onto a freight train and told they were being sent to work in Siberia. Gerda was on the train for six days. Each night, for entertainment, the young Russian soldiers would off load the Germans, line them up, and place them before a fake firing squad.

Fortunately, instead of ending up in Siberia, Gerda, her cousin and all the German passengers ended up in Darmstadt, Western Germany. Fortunately, Gerda was able to get a message to her Augsburg family who came to Darmstadt to take her back to Augsburg. By this time, Gerda was twelve years old and just wanted to settle into a normal German life. During this same period of time, her mother had learned English, landed a job and wanted her daughter to join her in America. She had not seen her daughter for twelve years, and she was anxious for her daughter to join her in America. Gerda resisted, because she had just gotten back to the family she knew and did not want to leave them. Her German family convinced her to go America and join her mother and if she did not like it, they would arrange for her to return to Germany.

Gerda arrived in New York in April 1948, after spending eleven sea-sick days on a WW II troop ship, and knowing no English except for the words "how do you do". That was on a Thursday and her mother started her in high school the following Monday. Gerda, was a quick study and rapidly learned the English language. She graduated from Long Island City High School in 1952.Later that year, she met her future husband and on their second date they decided they were meant for each other and got engaged. In 1954, she married her young second lieutenant and they became husband and wife. Gerda graduated from South Western University with a degree in Business Administration. Gerda retired as the Director of Volunteers from Memorial Medical Hospital in 1985. She and her husband lived in Savannah for 20 years before moving to Sun City.

Gerda was a happy mother to Cynthia and Donald and as a military family she helped them cope through each life altering transfer, she listened to their fears and encouraged them in making the necessary move adjustments.

Her family endured the excitement and challenges of a twenty-four-year military life. During the Air Force years Gerda's daughter and son attended schools in South Carolina, Georgia, Germany, Delaware, Virginia, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Illinois. Her maternal contribution was keeping everyone grounded and able to cope through the changes and challenges many families never experience. One summer the family lived in a pickup camper by Altus Lake located near Altus, Oklahoma. This arrangement, which was to accommodate Wallace while he attended C 5 pilot transition training, made for a special challenge, but like every other one, it only served to make the family stronger .

Gerda and Wallace were Delaware State Archery Champions 1967 and 1968. Their attention to health led them to bike riding, including a one-hundred-kilometer ride in Florida. And with no challenge too tough, this adventurous couple white water rafted some of the most grueling American rivers.

Gerda was proud of her rebellious daughter, Cynthia, who grew to be a highly successful risk manager and Commercial Insurance Producer. Cynthia's children Lauren Polk and Philip Helmey; were both educated through the Hollinger Family Scholarship Fund. Cynthia credits her mother as being the creator of her strengths and the gift of laughter.

Gerda was equally proud of her son, Donald, who after 32 years with the Chatham County Sheriff's Office retired at the end of 2021. Don's children Jessi Edwards, Katie Jerinic, Olivia Boyer, William Hollinger, Andrew Bufalini and Corey Hollinger are his pride and joy; many of Don's children likewise were educated through the same family scholarship fund.

Her final hours were made peaceful by Pruitt's Hospice program and their angels: Rachel and Nakeisha.

Gerda is survived by her husband of 68 years, Colonel Wallace Hollinger, her daughter Cynthia Helmey (Carl Rosenow); her son Don Hollinger (Angela Hollinger); eight grandchildren; Jessi Edwards, Katie Jerinic, Lauren Polk, Philip Helmey, Olivia Boyer, William Hollinger, Andrew Bufalini, and Corey Hollinger, as well as 10 great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC.