ERNA BERTHA MICHAELS (ROTOR)

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ERNA BERTHA MICHAELS (nee ROTOR) October 16, 1916 - November 6, 2002 After a lengthy battle with Alzheimers, Erna passed away peacefully on November 6, 2002 at Seven Oaks Hospital. Erna was born on October 16, 1916 on a farm in Kayville, SK. She moved to Winnipeg as a young woman where she met her first husband Wilfred Moore. Unfortunately Wilfred was killed during the Second World War, leaving Mom to raise to us as small children. In 1951, Mom married Jerry Michaels. They bought a summer cottage in Ontario together with Moms sister Joyce and her husband. It was at the cottage where Mom learned to swim, fish, boat, pick berries and just enjoy nature. Mom and Jerry spent many happy years together until his death in 1979. Mom had a real green thumb and loved to garden. Her garden provided vegetables for the family all year round. She was always very generous and shared much of her plentiful garden produce with family, friends and neighbours. Mom was a great cook and always welcomed company. She loved to play cards and many afternoons and evenings were spent with family or friends enjoying a game of bridge or canasta or whist. For Mom her family came first, her children, granddaughters and her siblings and their families. Mom created a home where everyone always felt welcomed and loved. Mom worked hard her whole life and just as she was reaching an age where she could slow down a bit, she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Mom was lovingly cared for at home by her son, Robert, until May of this year when she was hospitalized. Surviving her are her children, Robert and Patricia; granddaughters, Lisa and Amanda (Chris) sisters, Rose, Jean, Anne (George), Joyce; and brother Ray (Barbara) and many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the caregivers who helped look after Mom at home during the last seven years and to the staff of the Seven Oaks Hospital who cared for Mom the last few months. She will be sadly missed and will always remain in our hearts. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at Kildonan United Church, 187 Kilbride Ave., on Saturday, November 23 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. All Mothers - Young and Old Walk a Little Plainer, Mommy Walk a little plainer, Mommy Said a little boy so frail, Im following in your footsteps And I do not want to fail. Sometimes your steps are very plain Sometimes theyre hard to see, So walk a little plainer, Mommy, For you are leading me. I know that once you walked those ways Many years ago And what you did along the way Id really like to know For sometimes when Im tempted I dont know what to do. So walk a little plainer, Mommy, For I must follow you. Some day when Im grown up You are like I want to be. Then I will have a little Boy Who will want to follow me, And I would like to lead him right And help him to be true, So walk a little plainer, Mommy For I must follow you. Your son Robert Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 20, 2002