Elizabeth "Anne" Alpers passed away at her home on Saturday 21 Feb 2015 and went to be with her Lord.
Anne was born in Chicago, IL, one of three children of the Rev George E. Sheffer and his wife, Ruth E. Crumrine. The family moved to New Oxford, PA and York, PA, where she grew up. She graduated from Gettysburg College in 1942 with a degree in French. She was a member of the Chi Omega and Phi Beta Kappa and had a facility for languages.
She taught French, Latin and English at a school in rural Biglerville, PA for a time. But she wanted to help the war effort of WWII. She applied to the Defense Language Institute and learned the Japanese language, completing her courses in 1942. As a member of the WAVES, she was then detailed to Washington, DC, where she translated maps from Japanese to English.
She met her future husband, Frederick Alpers, at a Lutheran church in Washington, DC. They were married for 60 years.
They moved to California where he worked at the Navy's lab in Corona, CA before transferring to China Lake, CA. She raised her three children and spent her time learning the local wildflowers and attending her Protestant women's groups. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. She served her God and community by playing the piano and organ for her church, concerts and other functions right up until one week before her passing. She felt that through music one could most truly experience the full expression of God.
She was preceded in death by her husband Frederick Alpers and her son Alan Alpers.
She is survived by her son Reverend Rick Alpers and her daughter Marilyn LeMieux.
Published The News Review, Ridgecrest, CA 3/4/2015
Family Members
Parents
George Elmer Sheffer
1888–1968
Ruth E Crumrine Sheffer
1896–1987
Spouse
Frederick Christian Alpers
1921–2006
Children
Alan Alpers*
1960–2014
