Erna SCHMIDT

SCHMIDT, Erna
Erna Schmidt went to be with her Lord Jesus on Monday, February 19, 2018. She was predeceased by her beloved husband William Schmidt, March 5, 2011. She is lovingly remembered and mourned by her sons William Jr. (Priscilla), Garry (Susan), Manfred (Angela) and David (Sonia); her daughter Dorothy; grandchildren Michael, Thomas (May), Matthew, Benjamin, Tobias, Lukas, Eva, Joshua and Hayley; brother Al (Renate) Wedel (USA); sister Agatha Ruff (Germany); as well as her cherished extended family.
Born on March 16, 1925 in Gueldendorf, Ukraine (near Odessa), Erna was the third of seven children (Melitta, Hilda, Ewald, Beate, Agatha and Al) born to Adolf Wedel Sr. and Agathe Allerdings. Though her young life was greatly affected by Soviet Communism, Stalin's purges of Ukrainian Mennonites, and WWII, her conversion to Christianity during the war influenced everything afterwards. On her 18th birthday, during WWII, her family and whole village fled the Ukraine on foot travelling toward Western Europe. She eventually arrived in Göppingen, Germany where she met and married the love of her life, William Schmidt, August 8, 1948. They immigrated to Canada in 1954 with their young son, William (Bill, Jr). Living first in Winnipeg, they then moved to Calgary in 1956 where four more children were born.
Erna loved being a mother and grandmother, and focused her life on serving her immediate and extended family. She was an excellent homemaker and cook, and her Christmas cookies are legendary. She was a vital part in husband William's business life in Calgary. They had generous hearts and loved helping people, never forgetting the struggles of being a refugee and an immigrant.
Erna was an active member in her spiritual communities, both German (Thornhill) Baptist and Temple (Renfrew) Baptist churches, and spent her final years enjoying services at Brentview Baptist and her many senior friends there. Erna was a prayer warrior, praying daily for family and friends. On what was to be her last evening, she prayed with two of her grandsons while holding their hands. She was a natural evangelist and talented storyteller, sharing her faith with everyone she met, and giving testimony to the miracles she experienced during the war. She loved music, and became a supporter of the arts in Calgary through her attendance at many concerts involving her grandchildren. She was wise, beautiful, and kind to all, and we will dearly miss her.
A Visitation will held at FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen's Park Cemetery), on Friday, February 23, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Graveside Committal Service will be held at Queen's Park Cemetery, 3219 – 4 Street N.W., on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.; those wishing to attend, please meet at the cemetery gates at 8:45 a.m. A Memorial Service will follow the committal at FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations "in memory of Erna Schmidt" may be made directly to HART (Humanitarian Aid Response Team, hart.ca), or one of her favourite places, Camp Caroline (www.campcaroline.ab.ca).
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.
FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL
FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM
Telephone: 403-297-0888
Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial