Erna Kinzer

Erna Ruth (Kahler) Kinzer went to be with her Lord on March 3, 2012. She was surrounded by family at Kaiser Hospital in San Diego, California when she passed on. She was 73 years old.

Erna was born on July 31, 1938 to Paul and Catherine Kahler. She was raised on a farm in Winner, South Dakota being the youngest of 15 children. Growing up Erna enjoyed fishing from the shore of the Rahn Dam with her Dad while often seeing her future husband (unbeknownst to her) out in the distance fishing with his Dad from a boat off shore. She was introduced to Darol G. Kinzer in her late teens during a double blind date. They hit it off and were married on August 15, 1956, just two weeks after her 18th birthday. Fourteen months later their firstborn son, Gene Alan arrived. Shortly after his birth the three of them moved to Madison, Wisconsin where they resided for 18 years. While there she gave birth to four more children: Julie, Charlene, Nancy and Thomas. In the 1960's Erna owned and ran a Nursery School until a back injury forced her to close the business. Her joy in life was raising kids and taking care of her husband and home.

In 1976 the family made the long journey to San Diego, California. Darol (a mail carrier for the US Postal Service) was delighted not to have to deal with the treacherous weather any longer. Erna missed being close to family, but enjoyed watching her own family grow as her children married and had kids of their own. Due to unfortunate life events Erna took a very big role in the raising of several of her grandchildren. For a short time she had six of them living temporarily in her home. Needless to say her grandchildren have a close, loving bond with her and will miss her tremendously. She was also able to enjoy her four great grandchildren.

Erna had a close encounter with death in 1991, but God graciously gave her family twenty more years with her in which we are very grateful. She was diagnosed with diabetes around the year 2000 which had taken a toll on her physically over the years and led to severe kidney disease. Cause of death was peritonitis (an overwhelming infection) due to a rupture in the intestinal wall.

Erna is survived by her husband, Darol; four of her five children, Gene, Charlene, Nancy and Tom; thirteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren and another on the way; and four sisters. She was a nurturing, caring person who enjoyed having family around and will be missed greatly.

Erna was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers, three sisters and her daughter Julie.

* * * * * * * *

Funeral services for Erna Ruth Kinzer were held Saturday, March 10, 2012 with a visitation at 11 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Colome. The funeral was at 2 p.m. at the church with Pastor Fred Schurman officiating.

Music was provided by Janet Cerv, organist with congregational songs, "Amazing Grace" "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" "The Old Rugged Cross" and "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less."

Betty Tideman was in charge of registration.

Casket Bearers were Jonathon Byers (grandson), Gene Kinzer (son), Tom Kinzer (son), Mark Kinzer (nephew), Donald Story (nephew), and Monte Krizan (nephew).

Interment was in the Colome City Cemetery, Colome, SD.

The family invited everyone back to the church for cake, coffee, and a time to share memories following the cemetery service.

John 11:25, 26 Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."