Ethel Ellen Kaplan
Kaplan, Ethel – Ethel Kaplan of Cumming, GA died on April 22nd. Ethel was born on April 17, 1922, to Elin Haglin and Jack Schoerburn in Brooklyn, New York, and raised by her grandmother, Christina Nelsdatter, in Ozone Park, Long Island. Prior to World War II she worked for an insurance company in New York City and later the Federal Reserve Bank in Manhattan. On her eighteenth birthday, Ethel enlisted in the United States Navy where she worked in intelligence and communications during the war. In June of 1946 she married Capt. Leonard Kaplan, USN, in Ozone Park. Leonard was a decorated World War II veteran himself and a 1922 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. They resided first in Newark, NJ, and then Fair Lawn, NJ eventually settling down for over fifty years in Watchung, NJ. During that time Ethel served the local community as the Welfare Director for Family Services, Somerset County. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed knitting, quilting and embroidery. She was also an avid oil painter with a fondness for artistic photography. In her later years she studied the intricate art of Japanese doll making and was commended for her artistry. During the summer months she enjoyed spending time at a family beach house on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. An accomplished swimmer herself, Ethel received awards during her youth for the backstroke, and a Presidential recognition award for distance swimming while in her late 50’s.
Ethel was predeceased by her daughter, Kristina Vanech in 2006 and her husband Leonard in 1983 and is survived by her son Leonard Kaplan II and daughter-in-law Connie of Clifton Park, NY; her daughter Elin Kujat and son-in-law Edward of Davidsonville, MD; her daughter Millicent Kaplan of Falls Church, VA; and her daughter Vikki Oliphant of Cumming, GA. She is also survived by 10 Grandchildren and two Great-Grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday April 26th at 1:00pm at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5390 McGinnis Ferry Road, Alpharetta, GA. 30005. Internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with her husband. Visit www.veteransfuneralcare.com for complete funeral instructions and to sign the guest book.
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