Obituary of Erna Emily Pelzer

April 26, 1935 – Melville, Saskatchewan

June 15, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Erna Emily Pelzer (nee Hahn) passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 15, 2022, at the age of 87, after a brave but brief battle with cancer.

Mom enjoyed volunteering and singing in the choir at Zion Lutheran church. She was an avid gardener, ferocious reader, graceful dancer, competitive bowler, dedicated Blue Jays and Saskatchewan Rough Riders fan and extremely lucky at playing cards.

Mom met the love of her life George Pelzer, and they were married October 30, 1954. They enjoyed 40 years together with their large family and friends. Family meant everything to her; she enjoyed having them visit or call. Mom always made sure our home was prepared for family events, reunions, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, birthdays or just casual get togethers. As her children grew up their friends were treated as extended members of the family and were always welcomed.

Mom had a strong work ethic, “If you are going to do a job do it right”.  She followed that rule through her working career at the CN Restaurant, Atkey’s, Dairy Dip (at Pelzer’s Garage) and finally at St Paul’s Lutheran home where she retired in 1999. She believed in always being fair. If there was a chocolate bar to be shared, one of us had to cut it into pieces while the other two got first pick. Lesson learned.

Mom took great pride and joy in her grandchildren. She was always there for them having sleep overs, lunches, making forts and babysitting, going across town or across provinces. As they got older Mom enjoyed cooking with and for them, making all their favourites (cinnamon buns, coffee cake, fried chicken, kuffles, sugar cookies and eat-more bars); she loved her grand kids. She met her great grandson Ryker and was able to hold him a few times before her passing. She became an internet Grandma receiving pictures, videos, and progress reports about Ryker.

Mom had a great sense of humour, from telling jokes to pulling a leg on April fools. We loved hearing about her childhood escapades with her siblings.

She is survived by daughters Donna Munro (John) and Cathy Pelzer both of Calgary, daughter-in-law Connie Pelzer of Melville, sisters; Dorothea Kelher of Winkler, Manitoba and Betty Ann Bosch of Candle Lake, Saskatchewan, stepbrother Peter Idler of Edmonton, and stepsisters Bertha Howe of Toronto and Frida Schweitzer of Calgary; grandchildren, Jonathan Munro (Holly) of Calgary, Tia Pelzer and Harley Pelzer both of Melville, great grandson Ryker Munro of Calgary; as well as numerous brothers-inlaw, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her loving husband George, son David, father George A Hahn, mother Eleanora Hahn (nee Gieb), stepmother Pauline Hahn (nee Idler), brothers and sisters; Wilbur, Mary, Tillie, Kay, Irene, Bill, Ernie and Erwin.

Erna will be greatly missed by all of those who had the privilege of being part of her life.

“Your presence we miss, your memories we treasure

Loving you always, Forgetting you never.”

Interment to follow. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email: donorservices@cancer.ab.ca or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14^th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca.

In living memory of Erna Pelzer, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.