WENZEL – ERNA LILLIAN – Mrs. Erna Lillian Wenzel, beloved wife of Mr. Alvin Gustave Wenzel of Medicine Hat, passed away on Monday, January 9th, 2006 at the age of 71 years. Erna also leaves to cherish her memory four sons, Gregory (Pam) Wenzel of Calgary, Ronald (Cindy) Wenzel of Fort Saskatchewan, Laurence (Carol) Wenzel of Rocky Mountain House, Andrew (Lori) Wenzel of Medicine Hat; eight grandchildren, Kyle, Jordan, Anthony, Tanner, Cindy, Melissa, Jarred, and Jackson; two brothers, Henry (Lorretta) Light of Winnipeg, George (Pearl) Light of Selkirk; three sisters, Betty Finzel of Palm Coast, Florida, Ruth (Ted) Grimm of Medicine Hat, Mae Rakai of Medicine Hat; sisters and brother in law, Irene Waldo of Calgary, Lorraine (William) Seba of Wakaw, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Erna was predeceased by her parents, Gustav and Paulina Light; one brother, Robert Light; one sister Erma Jonason; and one grandson, Christopher Wenzel. After a lengthy, fearless and courageous battle with cancer, our dearest Erna was given her rest on January 9th, 2006, at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Erna was gifted to our world in Winnipeg in 1934 where she was the sixth of eight children blessed to Gustav and Paulina Light. Erna was raised on her family’s farm that hugged the banks of the Red River near Selkirk, Manitoba. It was here, as a young, spirited and beautiful woman, that Erna developed her utmost appreciation for nature and the simple things of life. Erna further developed a deep respect for others, a relentless work ethic, and a love of cooking, with Erna’s most endearing quality of all being her unselfish nature, as she always placed the satisfaction of her family, friends, and others before that of herself. Erna and her beloved Alvin Wenzel were married in Calgary in 1955. Their love and devotion to each other grew for over fifty years and remained unyielding, and to this day it has never broken. They were blessed with four boys and Erna’s constant guidance as well as unconditional love ultimately led to all their successes. Over the years the family resided in Medicine Hat, Alberta, on the family farm near Selkirk, Manitoba, the town of Nipawin, Saskatchewan, and the town of Brooks, Alberta. Along with being an adoring mother and meticulous homemaker for the four boys and Alvin, Erna was also a cook for the Nipawin Hospital and the Brooks Health Centre before her retirement in Brooks in 1994. Erna was known and respected for her commitment to her career and going well beyond the call of duty by further volunteering her time and returning to the hospitals to lend a kind strong hand to the staff and the patients that needed extra help. Soon after her retirement in Brooks, Erna and Alvin moved to Medicine Hat where Alvin resides today. Erna’s greatest love was the gathering and company of her family and friends. She was renowned for her cooking abilities and she always prepared the most delicious meals. Erna’s genuine love for all things in nature was most evident in some of her favorite pastimes that included; just being in the wilderness and enjoying the wonders of nature, fishing, gardening, helping others and reading. Erna’s family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of the Palliative Care Team at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for their outstanding thoughtfulness and kind attention to Erna’s needs. The family also would like to recognize Dr. Jeffery Bratvold and Dr. Gaylord Wardell for providing superlative care and compassionate support to Erna and her family. The Memorial Service will be held in SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, #1 Dunmore Road SE, on Friday, January 13th, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Shane Andrus officiating. Interment will follow in the Family Plot at Saamis Prairie View Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy those wishing to remember Mrs. Erna Wenzel may do so with a gift to the Medicine Hat Palliative Care Society, 666 – 5th Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4H6. Expressions of sympathy can be e-mailed to saamisfc@telusplanet.net, subject-heading Erna Wenzel. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL AND CREMATORIUM, “The Chapel in the Park,” Medicine Hat, Alberta. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone 1-800-317-2647.
