Erna Weisenburger

Erna Weisenburger, age 95, of Alexandria, died Sunday, April 19, 2015. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM Saturday, April 25 at the Lake Community church in Alexandria. Interment will follow in the Kinkead Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Friday at the Anderson Funeral in Alexandria and one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home. OBITUARY Erna (Rath) Weisenburger was born to John and Elizabeth (Spah) Rath on February 17, 1920 in Tuttle, North Dakota. Erna was the youngest of 8 children, including 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Erna grew up on the family farm near Tuttle. Like most of her siblings, she attended school through the eighth grade, and was then required to stay at home and help with various tasks on the farm. This limited education did not prevent her from being remarkable in life skills and a fierce competitor in the game of Scrabble. On December 5, 1943 Erna was married to Berthold (Bert) Weisenburger of New Rockford, North Dakota. They farmed for approximately 20 years near New Rockford, just south of Bert’s parents’ farm. During the course of those years they were blessed with 4 sons and 3 daughters. In 1963 Erna and Bert purchased the General Store in Rose City, which is located about one half hour northeast of Alexandria, MN. As times and shopping habits were changing, and the Store had an increasing competition for selection of merchandise, Erna became the primary store operator with Bert working an outside job to supplement their income. In 1976 they had an auction to sell the Store and merchandise. They then moved to Long Prairie, MN where Bert continued to work until retirement. Erna and Bert moved to Alexandria in 1991 to be closer to long time friends and more familiar medical care services. During this time they were excited to be part of the “groundbreaking” of the current home of Lake Community Church. During their post retirement years they participated in group tours to Europe and the Holy Land, as well as some bus tours to different parts of the United States. Throughout her life Erna was a dedicated Christian and instilled those values and morals in her children. One of her favorite pastimes was making 100,s of quilts to be donated to various church and other organizations. She was very dedicated to helping her children when it came to caring for grandchildren. And she had no qualms about showing some of the grandchildren who was the “queen” of leg wrestling. These kids and grandkids will cherish the memories of her cooking and baking forever. Especially remembered will be the caramel rolls, chocolate cake, and the German style dishes from her childhood. Erna went to be with her Lord on April 19, 2015. She is survived by; daughters Marlene Kaiser of Buffalo, MN, Lois (James) Schmeckpeper of Elk River, MN, Barbara (Douglas) Dockter of Springfield, IL; sons Gaylen (Catharine) of Detroit Lakes, MN, Vernon (Donna) of Maple Grove, MN, and David (Dawn) of Cocalalla, ID; 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Erna was preceded in death by; her parents, her husband Bert, son Marvin, and all of her brothers and sisters. Her celebration of life services will be held at Lake Community Church in Alexandria, MN on Saturday April 25th at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Anderson Funeral Home of Alexandria with internment at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria, MN. Please designate memorials to Lake Community Church.

Erna Weisenburger

February 17, 1920 - April 20, 2015