FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| Anna Gauss |
| June 16, 1923 - February 18, 2016 |
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Public Events and LocationsVisitation - Monday, February 22, 2016, 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Danube Swabian Association of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Philadelphia |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046 - 215-663-8550 - Map |
| Clergy - St. Cecilia Church - 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111 - 215-725-1240 - Map |
| Donation - Danube Swabian Association of Philadelphia and Vicinity - 1277 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116 - 215-969-9356 - Map |
The following is a loving tribute written by Anna’s family:
Anna Gauss of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania died Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Holy Redeemer Hospital Hospice. She was 92 years old. Anna was born June 16, 1923 in Filipowa, Yugoslavia, daughter of the late Peter Schaeffer and the late Veronika Schaeffer (Held). She is the beloved wife of the late Theodor Gauss; mother of Peter Gauss (Nancy), Rosemarie Kuchar (Peter) and Siegfried Gauss (Marianne). She will always be remembered by her grandchildren: Jason Kuchar (Mary Kate), Michael Kuchar (Jamie), Regina Kosiek (Nicholas) Patricia Kelly (Thomas) and Matthew Gauss and her great grandchildren: Collin, Emily, Morgan, Theodor, Madeline, Jack, Mary, and Daniel. She is the sister of Johann Schaeffer and his wife Lotte, the late Katharina Schaeffer, and the late Veronika Zettl.
Anna was born in Filipowa, a little German community located in Yugoslavia in 1923. Tragically, she was orphaned by the age of 10 and then was sent to live with her grandmother. She completed the then required 6 years of schooling before having to go out and work as a “maid” in various houses. At 17, she was given the opportunity to travel to Offenbach, Germany and work at a Dentist’s office. In 1944, she made the fateful decision to return to Filipowa and her grandmother.
Anna was born, raised and educated in Filipowa. She was among thousands of Filipowa citizens who suffered unspeakable horrors at the end of the Second World War. She was among those ethnic Germans who were abducted by the Russians as slaves as sanctioned by the 1945 Yalta conference Agreement as part of war reparation demands. She was incarcerated for 18 months in a forced labor camp in Karkov, Ukraine. After contracting Typhus she was eventually released and permitted to join the migration of ethnic Germans to East Germany. After a long demanding journey through a devastated Eastern Europe, she finally arrived in a refugee camp near Offenbach. There she was reunited with her future husband, Theodor, who had recently been released from a prisoner of war camp in the United States. They were married in Muhlheim am Main Germany in October 1948. Anna gave birth to her first son Peter in September 1949.
In July 1950, the family migrated to the United States, where they were generously sponsored by the late Michael and Marie (nee Gauss) Bernhardt of Willow Grove, PA. In August 1950, Anna gave birth to her second child Rosemarie. Theodor soon obtained employment and the family moved to the Nicetown neighborhood in Philadelphia. In October 1952 Anna gave birth to her third child Siegfried. Eventually, Anna started her working career with Robert Bruce a textile firm with manufacturing facilities only a few blocks from their home. In 1962, the family moved to Anna’s final residence in Fox Chase. Anna began working at a nearby manufacturing facility H&H Fluorescent of Cheltenham. It was during this time that Anna began her horticultural avocation. She and her husband spent countless hours enriching the soils of her yard and nourishing her favorite vegetables and flowers. She became well know for her displays of geraniums, dahlias and her favorite, the oleanders that reminded her of her Heimatland.
In 1985, Anna joined her husband in retirement and spent increasing time working in the garden. Her prowess at gardening was twice recognized by the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society with awards in 2012 and 2015.
During their life together, Anna and Theodor were proud of the history of their German ancestors and they raised their children to appreciate their ancestry. They were founding members of the Donauschwaben Club of Philadelphia in 1957. They contributed many hours volunteering and steering the society to include cultural and sporting activities for the club members and their children. The family’s activities included participation in many Trachtenfests, Ausstellungen, Concerts and sporting events. Anna also added her excellent baking skills to family, friend and club events by producing an incredible variety of tasty pastries. Her generous gifts were greatly appreciated by her family and friends. At Christmas everyone anxiously awaited a “cookie container” from Oma.
Though not receiving much formal schooling, she mastered three languages. Her family was blessed as she was mentally sharp, recalling stories of both the old county and the new up until the very end. She delighted in her great-grandchildren and in sharing stories and the secrets of baking with them.
Over the course of her 92 years, Anna Gauss witnessed tragedy, war and deprivation. But here experiences led her to use her indomitable spirit to bring joy, beauty, laughter and sweetness to the world around her.
Funeral services and burial will be private.
In celebration of Anna’s life on Monday, February 22, 2016, there will be a causal gathering at the Danube Swabian Association of Philadelphia, 1277 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116. Please stop by any time after 6:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anna’s memory to a charity of your choice or to the Danube Swabian Association of Philadelphia.
Anna Gauss of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania died Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Holy Redeemer Hospital Hospice. She was 92 years old. Anna was born June 16, 1923 in Filipowa, Yugoslavia, daughter of the late Peter Schaeffer and the late Veronika Schaeffer (Held). She is the beloved wife of the late Theodor Gauss; mother of Peter Gauss (Nancy), Rosemarie Kuchar (Peter) and Siegfried Gauss (Marianne). She will always be remembered by her grandchildren: Jason Kuchar (Mary Kate), Michael Kuchar (Jamie), Regina Kosiek (Nicholas) Patricia Kelly (Thomas) and Matthew Gauss and her great grandchildren: Collin, Emily, Morgan, Theodor, Madeline, Jack, Mary, and Daniel. She is the sister of Johann Schaeffer and his wife Lotte, the late Katharina Schaeffer, and the late Veronika Zettl.
Anna was born in Filipowa, a little German community located in Yugoslavia in 1923. Tragically, she was orphaned by the age of 10 and then was sent to live with her grandmother. She completed the then required 6 years of schooling before having to go out and work as a “maid” in various houses. At 17, she was given the opportunity to travel to Offenbach, Germany and work at a Dentist’s office. In 1944, she made the fateful decision to return to Filipowa and her grandmother.
Anna was born, raised and educated in Filipowa. She was among thousands of Filipowa citizens who suffered unspeakable horrors at the end of the Second World War. She was among those ethnic Germans who were abducted by the Russians as slaves as sanctioned by the 1945 Yalta conference Agreement as part of war reparation demands. She was incarcerated for 18 months in a forced labor camp in Karkov, Ukraine. After contracting Typhus she was eventually released and permitted to join the migration of ethnic Germans to East Germany. After a long demanding journey through a devastated Eastern Europe, she finally arrived in a refugee camp near Offenbach. There she was reunited with her future husband, Theodor, who had recently been released from a prisoner of war camp in the United States. They were married in Muhlheim am Main Germany in October 1948. Anna gave birth to her first son Peter in September 1949.
In July 1950, the family migrated to the United States, where they were generously sponsored by the late Michael and Marie (nee Gauss) Bernhardt of Willow Grove, PA. In August 1950, Anna gave birth to her second child Rosemarie. Theodor soon obtained employment and the family moved to the Nicetown neighborhood in Philadelphia. In October 1952 Anna gave birth to her third child Siegfried. Eventually, Anna started her working career with Robert Bruce a textile firm with manufacturing facilities only a few blocks from their home. In 1962, the family moved to Anna’s final residence in Fox Chase. Anna began working at a nearby manufacturing facility H&H Fluorescent of Cheltenham. It was during this time that Anna began her horticultural avocation. She and her husband spent countless hours enriching the soils of her yard and nourishing her favorite vegetables and flowers. She became well know for her displays of geraniums, dahlias and her favorite, the oleanders that reminded her of her Heimatland.
In 1985, Anna joined her husband in retirement and spent increasing time working in the garden. Her prowess at gardening was twice recognized by the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society with awards in 2012 and 2015.
During their life together, Anna and Theodor were proud of the history of their German ancestors and they raised their children to appreciate their ancestry. They were founding members of the Donauschwaben Club of Philadelphia in 1957. They contributed many hours volunteering and steering the society to include cultural and sporting activities for the club members and their children. The family’s activities included participation in many Trachtenfests, Ausstellungen, Concerts and sporting events. Anna also added her excellent baking skills to family, friend and club events by producing an incredible variety of tasty pastries. Her generous gifts were greatly appreciated by her family and friends. At Christmas everyone anxiously awaited a “cookie container” from Oma.
Though not receiving much formal schooling, she mastered three languages. Her family was blessed as she was mentally sharp, recalling stories of both the old county and the new up until the very end. She delighted in her great-grandchildren and in sharing stories and the secrets of baking with them.
Over the course of her 92 years, Anna Gauss witnessed tragedy, war and deprivation. But here experiences led her to use her indomitable spirit to bring joy, beauty, laughter and sweetness to the world around her.
Funeral services and burial will be private.
In celebration of Anna’s life on Monday, February 22, 2016, there will be a causal gathering at the Danube Swabian Association of Philadelphia, 1277 Southampton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116. Please stop by any time after 6:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anna’s memory to a charity of your choice or to the Danube Swabian Association of Philadelphia.
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