1944-2024: Unsere Tante, Inspiration und Brückenbauerin
„Ich aber, Herr, hoffe auf dich und spreche: Du bist mein Gott! Meine Zeit steht in deinen Händen.“
(Psalm 31, 15-16a, LU17)
1944-2024: our aunt, inspiration and „Brückenbauerin“
„But I trusted in thee, O LORD; I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand;“ (Psalm 31, 14-15a, KJV)
Gudrun was a much-loved family friend, ‘Tante Gudrun’ and godmother to my son Martin. She was a great support to us in difficult times, and was so proud to see Martin achieving his lifelong ambition to become a pilot. I first met her through the German Lutheran services at the University Church in Oxford, and our friendship continued for many years. May the Kingdom of Heaven be hers.
With sincerest condolences to her family,
Susan Halstead,
Katharine, Rory, Athena and Alexander Macdonald,
Martin, Kristen, Clara and Lucy Halstead.
Dear loved ones of my friend, Gudrun,
I know she is very missed by those who knew her, and her service is missed even by those who didn’t. Gudrun was one of my faithful visitors when I was in hospital for sepsis. She was going to visit me and my former husband after we returned to the United States, but sadly we dis not have the pleasure of her company before her demise.
I remember Gudrun very fondly!
Heartfelt condolences!
💗
I knew Gudrun during my time in Germany from 2012-2016. I was one of her students trying to improve my German. Her commitment to teach German and share information helped me through the time I was figuring out where I fit in on Patch Barracks. I appreciated her stories, her sense of humor and her commitment to help others.
Ihr Herzensanliegen war kulturelle Brücken zu bauen. nicht nur zwischen den USA und Deutschland, sondern auch für zwischen den Jüngeren und Älteren, zwischen den kleineren Kirchen und Gemeinden und den größeren.
Deshalb war sie auch bei der lutherischen Diasporaarbeit gerne dabei. Für den Martin-Luther-Bund in Württemberg war sie seit 2011 als Stellvertretende Vorsitzende tätig, von 2015 bis 2019 nahm sie in Vakanzvertretung auch das Amt der Ersten Vorsitzenden wahr.
Sie hat sich gerne und tatkräftig engagiert. Gerne erinnern wir uns an sie. Ruhe in Frieden!
Der Martin-Luther-Bund dankt Gott für das lange segensreiche Engagement Gudrun Kapers und trauert mit der Familie im Vertrauen auf die lebendige Hoffnung durch die Auferstehung Jesu Christi.
Pfarrer Michael Hübner, Generalsekretär des Martin-Luther-Bundes, Diasporawerk evangelisch-lutherischer Kirchen, Erlangen
We were blessed by getting to know Frau Kaper at the U.S. military base chapel this last year. Our youngest loved the little treats, especially die Gummi Baren, she would bring as a contribution to the fellowship lunch after the Sunday service. Frau Kaper also took time for our teenage daughter, and would talk to her about her life and German culture. My daughter says that she learned more about German culture from Frau Kaper than from anyone else. Frau Kaper was a blessing to our family. We thank the Lord for the blessed hope that she is now rejoicing in His presence.
Praying for those left behind, The Haddock Family
The Haddock Family
We enjoyed with Gudrun at chapel and drove her to and from the chapel service several times. We will miss her.
Gudrun Kaper habe ich vor etwa 30 Jahren kennengelernt. Durch ihre freundliche und auch zupackende und beharrliche Art wurde ich mit einigen Leuten in den Kasernen bekannt, so dass ich dort eine Zeit lang öfters zum Predigen eingeladen wurde. Auch für mein Aufbaustudium in Princeton, NJ, war das ein Impuls. Mich beeindruckte ihre unermüdliche Treue zu ihrem Dienst für Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Böblingen, und in der Krankenhausseelsorge.
Sie darf nun schauen, was sie geglaubt hat. Rest in Peace.
Gudrun was truly a bridgebuilder. She was also a stalwart advocate for Lutheran and other sacramental protestants.
With thanks for her volunteerism, I pray mercy and joy.
Gudrun loved Jesus and had a deep passion for serving in the American military chapel community. She was a constant in our ever-changing military community and she will be missed.
All for God’s glory, I am honored to have known Gudrun for the past 3 years, the final bookend years.
I remember her fondly for the cookies she brought the children at Patch Chapel, this was her consistent and faithful ministry. We shared many rides home to/from Chapel (as did others) signing base passes, getting fingerprints for pass last year (though she had no fingerprints). On time, I asked her to read a Psalm at our Garrison Prayer Breakfast in her beautiful German voice. She slowly walked to the stage, read it in full; it was my favorite part of the event.
Many conversations etched in mind, stories from her early days as a „Hamburgerein“ as she called affectionately called herself, stories of Tuebingen, stories of teaching and tours and people who supported through the years (she was grateful). I am still impressed by her compelling love to honor the fallen of yesteryear forgotten by many, but not her, even if it was just a few of us in the middle of field two hours away from Stuttgart on a hot Sunday afternoon.
I asked Gudrun to see herself as our Chapel’s „Omma“ even if I could not pronounce to her liking. One time I wrote out a „list“ of specific ways I wanted her to be an Omma, not a critic, but a kind Omma. I made her sign it like a counseling statement and she obliged. 🙂 One Sunday, I preached part of the closing words in German; after, I asked Gudrun what she thought of my German; she plainly in her convincing German tone, „I wasn’t listening to you, Chaplain Bryan.“ I smiled.
For the on-the-spot German lessons, her impromptu (shocking) „announcements“ mid-sermon, for the consistent reminder to „Watch out (before turning left into her village complete) Chaplain Bryan, you need to watch out for people shooting up the road!“ For all these memories and more, I’ll be grateful, as we tried to love her best and protect her health.
Many of you knew Gudrun during her younger years. I (we) had the privilege of witnessing some of the hardest – but consider it a privilege to be present in difficult loving conversations, assuring her of our love and pledge to protect her safety and health. Tough love, hard love, but love that cares for her health.
Thank you, all, who through the years loved dear Gudrun in your best ways possible. Some of you gave much, and the Lord has seen it. We all loved Gudrun as we loved Jesus, as if we were loving the Lord Himself.
I will surely remember Gudrun’s 80th birthday with you, November 20th, if I remember right. Gudrun really wanted a party. And one day she threatened me I would not be invited to her party to get my attention. But I will celebrate you always Gudrun made in God’s image. I like you and will miss you. I have no doubt the heavenly host will give her the party we could not on earth.
Friends, the best is yet to come, resurrected bodies together, seeing the Lord Jesus face to face.
Gudrun was the first face we saw every time we came to the Liturgical Service. She came to our house to celebrate Thanksgiving and always had a kind word for our three kids. She will be missed!
I knew Gudrun for two years. In every conversation she pushed me to learn more – to know the German language, to search the Bible, to understand other Christian church denominations and why they worship the way they do. I appreciate that she did not allow me to be a lazy thinker. She wanted others connected in meaningful ways.
Gudrun ist ein Vorbild für mich. Sie investierte ihre Zeit in andere um ihnen zu helfen. Sie wurde nie müde gute Taten zu vollbringen. Sie hilf so vielen Leuten.
Gudrun, you were a pillar in our church and an example of a Godly woman. We are a better community because of you.
Gudrun Kaper ist für mich ein bleibendes Vorbild dafür, dass es wichtig ist, sich niemals einschränken oder entmutigen zu lassen. Beim Martin-Luther-Bund Württemberg hat sie uns als 2. Vorsitzende immer wieder auf unsere Vorgänger im Glauben verwiesen. Wöchentlich hat sie in ihrem Status auf WhatsApp Segensgrüße in die Welt geschickt. Ihr Herz brannte für die Ökumene und für die jungen Leute in der US-Kaserne, denen sie Deutsch beibrachte. Danke für diese Ermutigung!
„Leben wir, so leben wir dem Herrn; sterben wir, so sterben wir dem Herrn. Darum: wir leben oder sterben, so sind wir des Herrn.“ Römer 14,8