Obituary of Erna Emma Muenz

November 17, 1937 - Lautzkaimen, Lithuania

March 1, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Erna Muenz of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024, at the age of 86 years.

Erna (nee Geschwandtner) was born in Lautzkaimen, Lithuania, on November 17, 1937. She was the first of her siblings to be born in a hospital. The war years were difficult, but fortunately the family remained together and immigrated to Germany in 1946. Two years later they immigrated to Canada on April 29, 1948, aboard the Beaverbrae, leaving from Bremerhaven, West Germany and arriving in Québec City. From Québec City, they made their way to Regina.

Erna was the only one of the children who attended school in Canada, as the others found work to assist with the family finances. Though she was ten years old, she began her schooling in grade one since she did not speak English. However, she completed grades one through four in that first year.

She met the love of her life, Erwin Muenz, and they married in Regina on January 9, 1954. Blessed with three children, Randy, Rick, and Susan, Erna stayed at home spending her time in her later-to-be-published words, “looking after children, being chauffeur, nurse, and teacher.” After “her little fledglings had flown the nest”, she kept busy guiding Bible studies, attending ELW (Evangelical Lutheran Women) executive meetings, planning and going to retreats, and taking part in prayer coffees.

Erna loved movies and singing, and saw the movie “The Sound of Music” more than ten times.

In 1983, she and Erwin acquired the cottage at Last Mountain Lake which had been in the family since the late 1950s. They spent most weekends at the cottage enjoying time alone, then enjoying numerous activities and sleepovers with their grandchildren.

In 1992, Erna and Erwin moved to Calgary to start a new chapter in their lives and to be closer to family.

Erna was a loving wife, mother, Oma, and Oma-Oma. She was always filled with optimism, which was fueled by her tremendous faith in God. Her faith and her family were her passions.

Erna is fondly remembered by her two children, Rick (Maria) Muenz of Calgary and Susan Sinclair (Dan Newman) of Calgary; ten grandchildren, Ryan (Sara Jade), Amber (Putu), Ashley, Lauren, Renato, Melissa (Nick), Christian, Christina, Giuliana (Greg), Alexis (Dylan); and three great-grandchildren, Marley, Ezio, and Zoe. Erna is also survived by her sister-in-law Gisela Geschwandtner, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Erna was predeceased by her husband Erwin, her son Randy Muenz, her parents Gustav and Maria Geschwandtner, her brother Ben and sister-in-law Jean, her brother Helmut, her sister Ruth Pelzer,  brother-in-law Nathan, and son-in-law Jim Sinclair.

Though we are sad as we mourn her passing, she is home with her Lord and Saviour.

The family wants to thank Dr. R. Sharma and the wonderful, caring, and compassionate staff at Evanston Grand Village who cared for Erna for the last eight and a half years.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queens Park Cemetery.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Muenz’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Diabetes Canada, 220, 6223 – 2nd Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1J5 Telephone: (403) 266-0620, ext. 1112, www.diabetes.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Erna’s family here.

In living memory of Erna Muenz, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Click to Sign the Video Guest Book and Watch Erna Muenz' Funeral Service