Gerda Klara Bernstein

Born April 16, 1920 Passed away July 25, 2007 at 87 years. Beloved mother of Diana (Eric) Ryan, Grandmother to Brook, Hannah, Noah, Bishop and Jude Ryan. Step Mother to Mary Brandon & Barbara Brandon, Step Grandmother to David Joseph (Athena), Linda (Randy) and their 4 children, Marlene (James), Gale (Martin), Gregg ( ), Guy (Mary) and their 12 children and Bill, Wendy (Lou), Drew (Deborah), Nancy (Charles ) and their 9 children. Preceded in death by her father Alexander Eichbaum, her husband David Brandon Bernstein, her son Alexander Bernstein and her stepsons David and Gordon Brandon.Gerda emigrated from Eastern Germany to the West of Germany on foot under the cover of darkness with the help of her motherÂ's brother while in her early 20s. Germany had experienced many years of desperation, oppression and war yet she was determined to create a better life for herself and her family. She perfected her English language skills and attended stenography school and shortly thereafter acquired a job as a court reporter/ translator for an American judge during the war crimes phase following WWII. She and the judge, David Brandon Bernstein, began a courtship while in Germany that end...[more]

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in her immigrating to the U.S. and marrying in 1952. They resided in Beverly Hills where she welcomed a relationship with his 2 sons David and Gordon and they had 2 children of their own, Alexander and Diana. Her life was enriched by her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed her years of participation in the American Institute of Fine Arts, her years of volunteer work at a variety of charities, her decades of season tickets to the Hollywood Bowl and her many friendships made through book clubs, travel and otherwise.Her sweet voice and penetrating blue eyes will be remembered and missed by all.