DOB: 01-01-22 Schilenen, Kreis Pillkallen-Schlossberg, East Prussia
Died: 01-29-2016 St. Anthony Regional Hospital, Carroll, Iowa
Erna Arnold, her husband, Berthold Arnold, and her children; Klaus, Dieter, Marlies, emigrated from Germany to the United States of America in February of 1952 where they later would have their son, Rick. Erna and her family experienced many trials during and after World War II and were grateful to seek a new beginning in Wall Lake, Iowa. She learned to speak, read and write the English language to have the opportunity to become a citizen of the United States.
Erna was a conscientious worker for many years at National Oats Popcorn plant in Wall Lake and also was one of the first employees of Cookies Barbecue Sauce. She loved taking care of and decorating her home. Over the years, she enjoyed reading, listening to German polka music, dancing, knitting, sewing, and joining her neighbors for walks. She had the gift of “playing by ear” on the piano, harmonica, and her small accordion. It was a joy to hear her sing her favorite German ballads. She enjoyed playing cards and dice with family and neighbors.
She was a great cook and passed on to her family the love of her German specialty foods such as potato pancakes, potato dumplings, raderkuchen, and especially, potato sausage.
Erna dearly loved and enjoyed spending time with all her family and was truly amazed she lived long enough to know she had great-great grandchildren. Her family would describe Erna as being fun-loving, vivacious, feisty, determined and quick to laugh at herself. Her granddaughters would say she was their confidante and loved unconditionally.
Erna was widowed in 1995. She traveled to Canada where she met and married Heinz Brademann. When she was again widowed in 2008, she went to Washington and lived for several years with her son, Klaus and daughter-in-law, Kay.
After living in Germany, Iowa, Canada, and Washington State, Erna came back to Wall Lake to live the last three years of her life at Twilight Acres nursing home. Although she missed being able to fend for herself due to declining health and poor eyesight, she would tell her family that she liked being at Twilight Acres, that she was safe and well cared for, and the bonus was, she didn’t have to do laundry, cook, or clean.
As Erna aged to 94 years of age, she would say she was tired and “ready to go”, but then would comment “ I’d still like to know what is going on in the world”.
She will be greatly missed.
Erna is survived by her children: Berthold Klaus (Kay) Arnold of Silverdale, WA and Marlies (Glenn) Sturm of Breda, IA; grandchildren: Gina Fisch of Johnston, IA, Dana Brown of Gilbert, AZ, Kelli West of Hutto, TX, Andrea Hausman of Manning, IA, B.K. Arnold II of Bremerton, WA, Michelle Grose of Bremerton, WA, Cindy Williams of Sac City, IA, Kim Arnold of HI, Jeff Arnold of CO, Daniel Arnold of Waterloo, IA, Kaitlyn Arnold of Waterloo, IA and Gregory Arnold of Sioux City, IA; 24 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; sisters: Edith Fischer of Wall Lake, IA and Gertrude Neuendorf of Germany; daughter-in-law Barbara Miller-Arnold of Waterloo, IA; brothers-in-law: Erich Arnold of Canada, and Herbert Arnold of Wall Lake, IA; sister-in-law Hilde Arnold of Wall Lake, IA; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband Berthold Arnold; second husband Heinz Brademann; sons: Gerd Dieter Arnold and Ricky Walter Arnold; brothers: Fritz Armonat and Lothar Abrat; sister Waltraud Janek; parents Otto Armonat and Alvine Abrat; grandaughter Courtney Arnold and nephew Klaus Beyer.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, February 1, 2016 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake, IA with Pastor Roger Carlisle officiating. Visitation is from 9-10:30 am prior to the service, Monday, February 1, 2016 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake. Burial will be at the Wall Lake Cemetery under the direction of Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.
