Elfriede Maria Dimitri

Mrs. Elfriede Maria Dimitri, 100, of Kissimmee, Florida passed away Thursday, April 26th, 2012. She was a longtime resident of Kissimmee, Florida. Elfriede was born in Vienna, Austria on March 12, 1912 to Edmund and Sophi Eret. She lived a full life, with many experiences during her early years. In 1914 her father was called to fight the Russians in World War I. Elfriede, her mother and brother moved in with her grandfather, who was widowed and living alone in a small community south of Vienna. Upon graduating in 1930, in Austria, she went to England to learn the English language. After one year, she passed an exam at the Sheffield Examination Board with an Honors certificate. Elfriede went back to Austria, but could not find work. She went to Budapest, Hungary to teach English and German. In 1937 she went to Paris to learn French. She attended a school at the Alliance Francaise. In 1938 Hitler invaded Austria and it became part of Germany. Elfriede was allowed to remain in Paris until June to finish school and obtain her Diploma, after passing the final exam. She then had to return to Austria. In 1939 Germany invaded Poland and it started World War II. Elfriede worked for the Red Cross and in 1943, was drafted to work for the POW censorship due to her knowledge of English and French. In 1945, after the war was over, Austria regained its independence again, but was occupied by the four Allies. Elfriede became an interpreter for the U.S. Air Force and taught German to the American soldiers at the American Red Cross. She then met her future husband, Master Sergeant Walter Dimitri. They married in Vienna on March 12, 1948 and came to the United Stated in 1949. During that time, Elfriede became a Naturalized American citizen. While Elfriede’s husband was stationed at Offutt Air Base in Omaha, Nebraska, their only daughter, Eileen, was born. In 1951 they moved to Albuquerque, NM and in 1952 moved to Goose Bay AFB, Labrador. After two years they moved to Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD. In 1955, they moved to London, England where her husband was stationed at South Ruislip AFB. During their stay in England, they made several trips to Austria to visit her parents and her childhood friends. Elfriede’s father passed away in 1956 and her mother lived with them in London for several months. The family returned to the United States, moving to Denver, Colorado in 1960. This was Elfriede’s husband’s last assignment at Lowry AFB. He retired in 1961 and the family moved to Kissimmee, FL. Elfriede and her husband purchased Lakeview Lodge at 104 Monument Ave, which they owned and managed for almost 20 years. Then they moved to Warsaw, Poland where they lived for ten years. This gave them many opportunities to travel throughout Europe and take several month long world cruises. When Elfriede’s husband’s health began declining, they moved back to Kissimmee, building a home next door to their daughter’s family. After her husband passed away, Elfriede remained there for the rest of her life. Last month Elfriede celebrated her 100th birthday party with her family and friends. She was very surprised and the celebration was enjoyed by all. Elfriede is survived by her loving daughter, Eileen A. Shinall and husband Kenneth of Kissimmee, FL.; two grandchildren: Damon Shinall and Stephanie Barrett; and two great-grandchildren; Zachary Shinall and Peyton Shinall. Arrangements under the direction of Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744 www.OsceolaMemGds.com

Elfriede Maria Dimitri

March 12, 1912 - April 26, 2012