Erna Rosa Beck

Erna Rosa Beck, 86, of Ridge Road, Orwigsburg, passed away May 30, 2022, at Seton Manor Nursing Home.

Born April 30, 1936, in Freiburg, Germany, she was a daughter of the late Elsa (Disch) Karle and Otto Karle. She was one of eight children.

She was married (66 years) and was preceded in death by her loving husband, Erwin O. Beck (January 2022). Also preceding her in death were two brothers and three sisters, all of Germany.

She was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.

In addition to being a devoted housewife and retired bookkeeper, Erna was the matriarch and the light of her family. Erna leaves behind many special memories of great love and joy for those whom she had touched throughout her life. She had the ability to make others feel welcome and appreciated and could easily strike up a conversation with nearly anyone.

Surviving her are three children, a daughter, Sabine Fidler (husband, David, of Orwigsburg), a son, Derek Beck (wife, Bonnie, of Pottsville) and a daughter, Suzanne Dubbs (husband, Kenneth, of Pine Grove); five beautiful grandchildren, Matthew Liptak (fiancée, Andrea), Jocelyn Oakill (husband, Jordan) and Erik, Gabi and Alex Dubbs; two precious great-grandchildren, Caden and Corrie Oakill; sisters, Helge Schneider (of Germany) and Gertrude Vicedomini (of Italy); nieces and nephews.

Known to her family as "Mutti" and "Oma," she loved her children and grandchildren dearly, spending quality time teaching them German, sharing stories and creating fond memories, building character and passing on traditions and recipes. Erna was a remarkable cook of authentic German food. She enjoyed preparing favorites, such as spätzle, sauerbraten, schnitzel, linzer torte and apfelkuchen, for her family.

Educated in Germany, Erna was a homemaker, bookkeeper and payroll clerk. During the Reconstruction Years following World War II, she followed her late husband and immigrated to Canada in 1956 before making Orwigsburg her permanent residence in 1974. Erna enjoyed cognitive skill games and competitive card and board games following retirement. She was a dedicated enthusiast of the card game bridge, becoming a master duplicate bridge champion.

Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, remembrances are requested in the form of contributions to CARE - Fighting World Hunger and Poverty - or the Make-A-Wish Foundation. To extend condolences to the family, visit www.gsesfuneralhomes.com. Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home, of Schuylkill Haven, is in charge of arrangements.