September 15, 1939 - November 26, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our loving mother while in care at Cascade Hospice Centre. Erna was born in Edmonton, Alberta and lived her infant years in Coaldale, Alberta before moving with her parents, sister Hilda and brother John to a small farm in Greendale, BC in the 1940's. The Fraser Valley became her home for the next 75 years. From a very early age, Mom worked hard and often told us stories of days spent in the strawberry and raspberry patch and in the fall helping with hop harvesting before school.
In 1957, Mom married the love of her life, Nick Martens and shortly after they settled in Yarrow and raised their family. Mom loved the outdoors and especially gardening - she had a wonderful green thumb and her gardens where always beautiful and immaculate even up until the last months before her passing. She also was very talented in constructing rock walls - they are absolutely amazing and still stand in several properties Mom and Dad owned over the years. Mom worked in housekeeping at the Chilliwack General Hospital for 25 years retiring in 1991. By this time, grandchildren were the focus of her life, and she was blessed to have 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren to cherish, love and nurture.
Mom loved an adventure, and her bags would always be ready to travel near and far - family camping trips were her favorite, but Hawaii was a close second. She enjoyed the game of golf and was a regular at Kinkora Golf Course for many years. Mom attended the Chilliwack Alliance Church and prior to COVID and her illness, enjoyed the fellowship she shared with the Morning Break ladies' group at church.
Mom was a great listener and a person you could always go to for advice - helping family or friends on a moments notice was a special quality she had.
Above all, she loved and cherished her husband Nick, children, and grand/great grandchildren dearly. Erna is survived by her husband Nick of 64 years, daughter Shirley & Richard Warren, daughter Kelly & Michael Trotman, daughter Wendy & Ron Van Eyk, son Robert & Alison Martens, grandchildren, Scott, Nicole & Peter Cave, Samantha, Matthew Warren, Deanne (Trotman) & Chris Pluhowy, Kristine Trotman, Melanie (Van Eyk) & Evan Haney, Nicole (Van Eyk) & Kevin Lobert, Kylie Rae (Van Eyk) & Steven Prasad, Aaron Van Eyk & Amber Jackson, Nicholas Martens, Jaclyn Martens. Great Grandchildren, Apollonia, Lucia, Eli, Emersyn, Canyon, Linden, Eden, Isla, Ruby, Leah, Carmen, Charles, Theodosia.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank the nurses, doctors, care workers and volunteers at Cascade Hospice Centre for the care and compassion shown to Mom and our family in her final days.
Due to present circumstances a celebration of life will be held in spring 2022.