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Erna Sonnenberg, of Coaldale, Alberta, beloved wife of the late Adam Sonnenberg, passed away peacefully with family by her side in Calgary on September 12, 2024 at the wonderful age of 92 years.

Erna was born July 21st, 1932 in Weissenfelde, Landkreis Sichelberg, East Prussia (now Poland). Erna was the 4th child of Theodore Piejde and Natalie Roloff. Emmy, Ewald & Edmund were Erna’s older siblings. Erna’s mother Natalie sadly passed away when Erna was a toddler. Erna couldn’t remember much of her mother but she did remember her Grandma Roloff sewing clothes for her and her siblings after her mother passed away. Erna’s father then married Amanda Zielke and welcomed Erich, Erwin, Irmgard, Martha and Helmut into their family. Unfortunately Amanda also passed away, and her father married once more to Helene Biebonett and they had the last of Erna’s siblings, Marianne. As a child, Erna’s siblings were her best friends. The children spent much of their time playing outside and Erna remembered her older siblings trying to teach her how to ride a bike. She remembered fondly that she ended up in the bushes with the bike, before finally figuring it out. With the passing of her step mother, Erna took on much of the responsibility for taking care of her younger siblings.

During World War II, Erna was sent to a Russian concentration camp in Poland. While in the camp, she met the Sonnenberg Family and she became a pen pal to the eldest son Adam, whom she eventually married. Adam and his family immigrated to the Coaldale area in 1953. Erna left her own family a year later to be with her sweetheart. On December 21st, 1954, Erna and Adam were wed at Christ Trinity Lutheran Church in Lethbridge, Alberta. Initially, the young couple lived in a farmer’s shack where they hoed sugar beets. Their first home was outside of Coaldale where they lived on the top level of a 2-storey farm house (with Adam’s mom and siblings living on the main level). In 1969 Erna and Adam built a beautiful home for themselves in Coaldale that Erna lived in until June of this year.

Erna enjoyed spending time outside in her large garden and enjoyed family camping trips to Fairmont, spending time at the hot springs. Erna was very involved with the Lutheran Church and was in the choir, on the ladies auxiliary and volunteered to help with whatever, whenever. When Erna wasn’t busy with her flowers and plants she filled her time with reading, knitting, embroidery, sewing, cooking and baking. Erna loved to listen to German folk music and religious songs.

Family was the cornerstone of Erna’s life and she was blessed with four children, thirteen grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. In addition to being a devoted daughter and sister, she was a wonderful wife, Mom, Oma, Gross Oma, aunt and friend. She will truly be missed.

Erna is survived by her children Natalie (Ken) Zablocki, Erika (Loren) Winnick, Robert (Raeleen) Sonnenberg, and John (Teresa) Sonnenberg; her grandchildren: Shauna (Seann) Eldan, Christopher (Reece) Zablocki, Loren Winnick Jr, Kirk (Meagan) Winnick, John Winnick, Kent (Katie) Winnick, Joe (Heather) Sonnenberg, Joshua (Jolene) Sonnenberg, Matthew (Rachel) Sonnenberg, Laura Sonnenberg, Adam Sonnenberg, and Miriam Sonnenberg; and her great grandchildren: Logan & Alyssa Eldan, Elias & June Winnick, Jeremiah, Drummond & Tate Sonnenberg, Reuben & Caleb Sonnenberg, Edith, Greta, Linnea & Leif Sonnenberg.  Erna’s surviving siblings in Germany include Irmgard, Martha, Helmut and Marianne; along with numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews both in Germany and Canada.

Erna was predeceased by her husband Adam, her siblings Emmy, Ewald, Edmund, Erich, Erwin, her granddaughter Melissa, several infant great grandchildren and others that she loved dearly.

Many thanks to the wonderful caregivers that helped Erna in Coaldale and Calgary.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Christ Trinity Lutheran Church, 416 12 St S, Lethbridge, AB. Interment to follow at Coaldale Cemetery.

A Viewing will be held from 10:00 to 10:45am prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to Christ Trinity Lutheran Church or EFT’s can be sent to: christ.trinity2020@gmail.com