ERNA HEDWICH HARTENBERGER

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ERNA HEDWICH HARTENBERGER It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Erna Hartenberger, aged 77 on Sunday, October 23, 2005 after a hard and courageous battle over the last eight months. Mom will be sadly missed by her children, Charlene (Gary), Dennene (Lawrence); grandchildren, Laine and Reid; her best friend Edith; Aunt Bertha; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Fred; parents, Albert and Ida Rain; and brother Henry Rain. Erna was born August 16, 1928 in Woodly, SK. She moved to Manitoba where she met and married Fred in 1948. They farmed in East Selkirk until 1967, when they moved to their residence on St. Peters Road. They then moved to Selkirk in 2001. Mom worked at the Selkirk Linen until her and Dad adopted their girls and then Mom took on the toughest job of all, being a stay at home mom. She sewed all of our clothes, always had a warm supper waiting as well as fresh bread and baking. Mom also spent many hours sitting at the sewing machine, sewing everything from tiny Barbie clothes, ballet costumes, Halloween costumes, doing alterations for others and even a wedding dress. Mom also loved Bingo, it was an outing and visiting session for her. She even came home with smiles occasionally from Winnipeg Penny Bingo. Mom enjoyed following curling, hockey and baseball, whether watching them on television or listening to the games on the radio or even just playing catch with Charlene and then Laine and Reid. Mom was a long standing member of the Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School for many years. Her and Dad were also founding members of the East Selkirk Recreation Centre. Mom was so proud and thankful for her sons-in-law for all the things they helped with. She was also very proud of her grandchildren. Laine and Reid could hardly wait to go and see Ma for some of her cookies. They also had to go and see her right away in the event of a lost tooth, report cards or other achievements. Ma always had her loonies and toonies ready for them. In the last eight months even though Mom couldn't talk or eat she enjoyed the visits and phone calls from everyone, especially Edith. Erna's pallbearers are Bill Paskaruk, Richard Kurbis, Leonard Rain, George Bush, Doug Youzwa, Ernest Beck. Honorary pallbearers are Laine and Reid. Prayers will be held on Friday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m., Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk, MB. Funeral services will be held at the Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Church, 329 Clandeboye Ave., Selkirk on Saturday, October 29 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Stan Richards officiating. Interment to follow at the Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Erna's name to the Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Church or CancerCare Manitoba. A special thank you to Dr. Fuchs, Dr. Sutherland and the team at CancerCare, the nursing staff at the Selkirk General and Mom's home care staff, especially Gail, Audrey and Laura. Her battle was not long but it was a hard and difficult journey. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 25, 2005