Gerda Sophie Bolton, age 92, entered the Church Triumphant on Dec. 8, 2021, after complications from a long battle with dementia. Born in Ludwigshafen, Germany, March 12, 1929, Mrs. Bolton was the only child of the late David and Hermine Gemar.

After surviving World War II, Gerda worked as a translator for the U.S. Army headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. While there, she met her future husband, “Rudy” who was serving in the U.S. Army military police. Later, they would marry for 58 years until his death in 2010.

Gerda was very proud of her U.S. citizenship, which she acquired on March 20, 1956, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. As a military wife, Gerda traveled and held many jobs over the years until finally retiring from Richland Memorial Hospital in 1994.

Mrs. Bolton was a lifelong Lutheran and member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Columbia, S.C. for over 40 years. Gerda sang in the choir, taught Adult Sunday School, worked in the Cub Scout program and served in other various church programs. She often spoke of her faith in Christ as the strength that helped her endure the horrors of WWII.

Gerda is survived by her two sons, the Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Bolton and his wife, Angela of Lexington, S.C., and Mr. Gary Bolton of West Columbia, S.C.; two granddaughters, Mrs. Jessica Schaefer and husband, Eliot; two great-grandchildren, Elianna and Cameron of Arvada, Colo. and Mrs. Brittany Shipes and her husband, Clay of Lindale, Texas, along with numerous nephews and nieces.

The family will have a private burial at a future date. Memorials may be sent to St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 119 North Church St., Lexington, SC 29072.