Obituary of Erna Unrau

Passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 69 with her husband and children at her side. Erna (nee Schmidt) was born in a small German Mennonite Village in Neuenburg, Ukraine, to parents Jakob and Sarah (Neufeld) Schmidt. Survived by Walter Unrau, her loving husband of 46 years and three children: Christine Rowe (Dwayne) of Brampton, Catherine Unrau Woelk (Andrew) of Kitchener, and Daniel Unrau (Rachelle Shpeley) of Nelson, B.C. Beloved grandmother of Marlana, Evelyn, Andre, Abigail, Nathaniel, Jesse and Jakob. Survived by brother, Irwin Schmidt (Joan), sister-in-law, Anne Huebert (Peter), nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Predeceased by her parents and a sister, Erna, who died in infancy. Erna enjoyed a full and rich life and received much satisfaction from her career at the University of Waterloo where she was the first departmental secretary in the newly established Computer Science Department. She placed high value on church involvement, serving in various capacities, and was able to engage even more fully in volunteer work during her retirement. She developed an interest in genealogy and authoured two books documenting the genealogy of both sides of her family. Erna fought a courageous battle with cancer for many years and appreciated the excellent care she received at the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre. Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. The Service of Remembrance will be held at W-K United Mennonite Church, 15 George Street, Waterloo, on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 1 p.m. A reception will follow. It was Erna's wishes that donations be made to Mennonite Central Committee or the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre in lieu of flowers. Donations can be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.