Brigitta Dittmar Herfort passed away February 19, 2018. She was born August 16, 1926, in Diez, Germany. "Gitta" was the oldest of 4 children. She was an optician who worked for Rudy Herfort in Berlin, Germany.

While working one day, Gitta accidentally broke a photograph that belonged to her boss. It was a picture of her boss's brother, John, a German immigrant who lived in Texas. Gitta wrote a letter to John asking for a replacement photograph. After the new picture arrived, they continued writing to each other. Eventually, John decided to travel back to his homeland to meet this young lady. At the end of the business day on Christmas Eve, 1952, John locked the door and left for Germany. On January 7, 1953, Gitta Dittmar married John Herfort in Berlin, Germany. She immigrated to the United States four months later and started a family.

In addition to raising a family, Gitta was John's partner in the family business. She meticulously accounted for every single penny, six days a week for over 60 years. Gitta and John had 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Brigitta was preceded in death by her husband, John Herfort; daughter, Jane Herfort Brunkhorst; son, Tom Dittmar Herfort; and, brother, Karl Heinz Dittmar.

Brigitta is survived by her brother, Ekkehard Dittmar and wife Nancy of Horseshoe Bay, Texas; sister, Uta Schulle of Berlin, Germany; son, Mark Herfort and wife Ruthie; and daughter, Ann Herfort Lane. "Oma" is survived by grandchildren: Harrison Herfort, Denys Herfort, Madelyn Herfort, Lane Thompson, Elise Thompson Kacal, Will Thompson and wife Laura, Scarlet Lane Kelly and husband Michael, Logan Lane, Andrew Brunkhorst, and John Brunkhorst. Oma is also survived by great-grandchildren: Ella Kacal, Ben Thompson, June Thompson, Jane Kelly, and Lucy Kelly.

Friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of her life between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Sunday, February 25, 2018, at the family business.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Brigitta's name may be made to SPJST Skilled Nursing – Needville, 8611 Main Street, Needville, Texas 77461; or Morton Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 300, Richmond, Texas 77406.

Condolence messages may be written for the Herfort family at www.garmanycarden.com

Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.