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JAHNKE, Erna (nee Kunzelmann) – Our wonderful, caring, talented, funny, and loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and friend slipped away peacefully on July 21, 2019 in her 100th year. Erna is survived by her four daughters Hedda Holmes (Doug), Uta Haley (Rick Lutz), Karin Jahnke-Haslam (Rolf Schmitt) and Inge Saczkowski (John). She was the proud grandmother of Jaime Haley Plut (Daryl), Kelly Haley (Mike Elliott), Kyle Haslam (Melanie), Kelsey Haslam (Hannah), Peter and Thomas Saczkowski (Sumaya). Delighted great-grandmother to Easton Plut, Harrison, Willow and Evelyn Haslam and step-great-grandmother to Nicholas Lutz and Benjamin Schweyer. She is predeceased by her husband Henry Jahnke (1994), son-in-law Kerry Haslam (1995), mother Gertrude Kunzelmann (1996), and her father Heinrich Kunzelmann (1985). She also leaves behind many relatives and friends in Germany, notably her cousins Hannegret and Haio Hones and Horst Kunzelmann.
Erna was born in Rosch, Romania in 1920. She spent her childhood in Romania, and moved to Germany in 1939. In 1945, mother and daughter fled from Posen, and made their way to Mollnitz, where she met her future husband, Heinrich (Henry). They were married on March 31, 1948. Henry immigrated to Canada May 1, 1953, Erna and their 3 daughters followed a few months later and the family was re-united in Quebec City in July. They moved to Rougemont, Quebec where their 4th daughter, Inge, was born. In 1955, they moved to Ridgeway, eventually settling in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where they built their first house on the Niagara Parkway in 1959. Erna was very proud of her professional career. With her technical education, she started working as a draughtsman at Ontario Hydro. 10 years later she was employed as an Engineering Technologist with Acres Engineering in Niagara Falls, where she worked an additional 15 years. She was justly proud of her drafting and cartography skills, and attributed her love of art and attention to detail to her father, a noted architect.
In 1976, Henry and Erna moved back to the Niagara Parkway and were proud owners of Riverscourt Farms. She moved to Queenston after her husband died and spent many happy years on Clarence St. with her beloved “Sparky.” She made frequent trips back to Germany, her last in 2000. Her remaining 7 years have been spent at Upper Canada Lodge where she would often play the piano for residents. “Mutti” could play for hours without notes (or encouragement!). While she did lose some of her memory, she retained her love of music and a wonderful sense of humour. She always enjoyed a ‘short one’ of schnapps or a glass of champagne with anything sweet.
We extend our sincere thanks to the hard working PSWs and nursing staff at Upper Canada Lodge for their kind and considered care of Erna in her last years. We will all miss her music and her feisty spirt.
The family will have a private memorial service at a later date. Arrangements in care of Morgan Funeral Home.
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com