Obituary for Erna Weinrich

Erna Amanda Ida (Hensiek) Weinrich passed away Wednesday, February 11, 2015. She was 98.

Erna was born on August 20, 1916, in Nashville, KS to William and Katherine Hensiek who were German immigrants. She attended Lutheran school and high school in Nashville, then continued her education in Halstead, KS graduating from Halstead School of Nursing in 1940. Erna began working at St. Mary’s Hospital in Winfield, KS in that same year. On June 8, 1941, she married Carl W. Weinrich and together they had one son, William, and one daughter, Gretchen. In 1947 Erna began working for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ponca City, OK, then worked for 32 years as an Industrial Nurse at Continental Oil Company. She was a member of both the state and national Nurses Associations, and was also a very active member of the Lutheran Church. In 2006 Erna received the Miles Christi award from Concordia Thological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, for her support of the mission of the seminary and the well being of the church. She was an outstanding example of Christian charity and humility. Many have been the recipients of her kind and unassuming generosity and benevolence. The family wishes to gratefully thank Dee, Vicky, Shay, Dakota, and Charlotte for the loving and faithful care they gave to Erna.

Erna is survived by her daughter, Gretchen and husband Robert Young of Coricana, TX; son, Rev. William Weinrich and wife Barbara of Fort Wayne, IN; grandchildren, David Young, Dallas,TX, Laura Watkins and husband Garrett, Washington, D.C., Rebecca Bekkenutte and husband Rob, Manchester, England, Rachel Baker and husband Jason, Indianapolis, IN, and John Weinrich, Ft. Wayne, IN; great-grandchildren, Lucy Watkins, Walter Watkins, Thomas Watkins, and Alexandra Baker; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents: her husband, Carl; 4 sisters: Edna Westerman, Hulda Westerman, Amanda Westerman, and Frieda Bether; and 3 brothers: Bill Hensiek, Ted Hensiek, and Erwin Hensiek.

Family will be receiving friends from 6 to 8 pm on Sunday, February 15, 2015, at Trout Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Monday, February 16, 2015, at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeremy May presiding. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Casketbearers will be Mike Harding, Duane Hensiek, Earl Krieg, John Weinrich, George Vernon Westerman, and David Young. Services are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory.

Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, 1101 North 4th Street Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home