Erna Eitzen

Erna Eitzen, 96, of Fargo, ND, formerly of Munich, ND, passed away Friday, August 5, 2022, in Sanford Hospice House, Fargo.

Erna Eitzen was born in Schoensee, Ukraine, on February 1, 1926. Her parents, Peter and Anna Eitzen were cattle farmers. Erna was the fourth of ten children, seven of which reached adulthood. She enjoyed growing up in the breadbasket of Ukraine, however a war in that region changed her life dramatically. She left home at age 16 to gain employment to help her mother who was left alone with 7 children. Her stepfather was arrested by the Communists due to his ethnicity (German Mennonite).

Erna worked her way West during the war, barely escaping arrest knowing that safety could only be found in Germany. She finally arrived in Germany in 1946 and worked there as a refugee until obtaining passage to Canada in 1948. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, she met Alfred Eitzen, and they began seeing each other regularly. While Erna’s parents introduced her to the Christian faith, she often expressed gratitude to Alfred for helping her gain a deeper understanding of Christianity and making a life-long commitment to Jesus.

They were married at Bethel Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on September 28, 1950. Five months later she moved to Munich, ND, where her husband was a farmer. She became a great partner in farming, an excellent gardener, a skilled seamstress, and a wonderful cook and baker. She was employed by Maple Manor and Munich School as a cook.

After the love of her life, Alfred, died in 1994 she moved to Fargo, ND to help care for her preschool grandson and became involved in volunteer work in the community. She lived independently in Fargo until June 2022, when she moved to a memory care facility. Due to a fall, she was hospitalized on August 1, moved to Sanford Hospice House on August 4, and went to her heavenly home on August 5.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Alfred; sisters, Anna and Agatha; brothers, Peter, George, and Jacob; sisters-in-law, Marie, Elizabeth, and Anne; parents, Peter, Anna, and Jacob.

Surviving are daughters, Twyla (Steve) Lee, Colorado Springs, CO; Treva (Larry) Watnemo, Moorhead, MN; Tracy (Ivan) Friesen, Bismarck, ND; sister, Marie, Germany; grandsons, Trevor and Ryan Lee, Matthew Watnemo, Tanner and Austin Friesen; granddaughters, Trista Bejarano and Tami Widmer, and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family extends special thanks to the Sanford care teams at the hospital and Hospice House.

“Erna’s Story: A Journey of God’s Protection”, by Twyla Eitzen Lee is available through Amazon Books.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to Gideons International and Steer, Inc.
A Visitation for Erna will be on Friday from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN.

The visitation will continue one our prior to the service. Her Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, August 13, 2022, in Salem Bible Church, Munich, ND with a visitation from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM. Burial will take place in South Salem Cemetery, Munich.

Memories and condolences may be shared on our website at www.korsmofuneralservice.com
(Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN)