Hildegarde Emma Naepflein's Obituary
Hildegarde Emma Naepflein, 91, of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2025. She was born December 13, 1933, in Ostelsheim, Germany, to Paul and Lina Gehring. After completing her schooling, she began a career in the electronics field, where she became a highly regarded and trusted expert in quality specifications for government equipment, a distinction few other women were afforded during that time.
In 1957, Hildegarde met the love of her life, Carry Naepflein, at a café in Switzerland, where both were living at the time. Carry knew from the moment he met her that she was a special woman and that he would be happy to share life with his “Flaumchen,” as he affectionately called her. The couple were married in Long Island, New York, in 1960. It was a wedding made in heaven for their endless devoted love for each other, lasting over 65 years.
Hildegarde was a caring, loving, and supportive person. She was an excellent cook, and from the time they first met, she would prepare German dishes for Carry that were the best he had ever eaten. They loved spending time outdoors together, skiing, mountain climbing, swimming, hiking, and playing tennis. They traveled together to the coasts of Mexico, where they enjoyed the powder-sand beaches and palm trees. In March of 1997, they moved to Florida in search of a climate warmer than that of Long Island. They were always at each other's side and enjoyed nothing more than each other's company, no matter the activity, from doctor's appointments to errands to the countless quiet evenings they spent throughout their lives together, talking and listening to beautiful music.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 10:00 am, at Trinity Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery, 12609 Memorial Drive, in Trinity, Florida.
Hildegarde is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Carry Naepflein. He will forever be grateful for the time and love they shared together.
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