October 7, 1931 – Furstenfeld, Germany

December 8, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

 

The family of Erna Maschki (nee Fredrich) is sad to announce that she passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the age of 93 years.

Erna was born in Furstenfeld, Germany, and like so many others, her family, husband and first child, became refugees during the turmoil of post-1940s. In 1955, Bruno, Karin, and Erna immigrated with the rest of her family to Southern Alberta to start a whole new life, not knowing the language and unfamiliar with the town she was placed in. In her own words, “If I could have walked home the next day, I would have”. 

Angela joined the family in 1957, but turmoil again followed Erna with Bruno’s diagnosis of TB. He was to spend over a year in hospital. It was during this time that she took the reins into her own hands and began a nursing aide course at SAIT in case she needed to become the family’s primary breadwinner should Bruno not be able to return to work. Thankfully, that was not the case, but Erna continued to work. She had found her calling by helping the seniors at Bethany Care Centre, where she served them very well for many years.

Daughters Anita and Elizabeth came along in due time, helping to fill up the house in Brentwood. The Brentwood house became the hub for gatherings as many of her siblings had families of their own. 

Erna dedicated her life to service, particularly to the service of seniors. She was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church since its inception in 1962, served in different capacities at Bethany Care Centres, and retired from paid work at Confederation Park Seniors Centre, but continued her volunteer work at all of these facilities. 

Erna knew so many people, that it was nearly impossible to take her anywhere without encountering someone she knew. She greeted each with a big smile and a hug. She was well-known for her cooking and her baking, living on her own, right until the end.

Erna is survived by her daughters, Karin (Wayne), Angela, Anita (Ken), and Elizabeth (Lorne); four grandchildren, Odin (Janelle), Jennifer, Kirstin (Sergio), and Christopher; four great-grandchildren, Jelisa, Arya, Danica and Konrad; and her siblings, Alwin, Frieda, Siegfried, Erika, Hilda, and Heinz. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Bruno, in 2004, and her brothers, Erwin and Theo in 2022.

 

Funeral Services will be held at Hope Lutheran Church (3527 Boulton Road NW, Calgary, AB) on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Reception to follow in the Church.

 

In living memory of Erna Maschki, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North,Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.