Beimler-Herker, Centa (1909–)

views updated

Beimler-Herker, Centa (1909–)

German anti-Nazi activist. Born Centa Dengler in Munich, Mar 12, 1909; dau. of a construction worker and a washerwoman; sister of Maxi Dengler; married Hans Beimler (founding member of Bavarian Communist Party, member of German Reichstag, and anti-Nazi hero), 1930 (died 1936); married Hans Herker (artist), 1945 (died 1964); children: (2nd m.) Christa (b. 1948).

Worked in a law office and became a Communist activist (mid-1920s); helped husband in his illegal political work after Nazi takeover (1933); arrested and imprisoned along with mother and sister (1933); husband escaped from Dachau (1933), but was killed in Spanish Civil War (1936); with sister, was transferred to Moringen concentration camp (1936); released from Moringen (1937), returned to anti-Nazi work; rearrested (1939 and 1942).