Orth, Erna

Erna Orth, 99, of Luther Manor, Dubuque, formerly of Wyoming, Iowa, passed away Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at Luther Manor. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 2899 Hales Mill Rd., Dubuque. Burial will be in Wyoming Cemetery, Wyoming. Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2659 JFK Rd., Dubuque, is in charge of arrangements.

Erna was born Oct. 30, 1909, in Denver, Iowa, the youngest child of Wilhelm Graening and Sophie Lobeck Graening. Baptized Erna Bertha Clara Ida Wilhelmina Graening by her uncle, she had one brother, Herbert, and two sisters, Esther and Martha Graening Wente.

Erna was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.

During her childhood years, she lived in Denver, where she attended elementary and secondary school. In addition, she was active in church, attending in her early childhood St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Maxfield Township and later St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Denver, where she was confirmed in 1924.

Following graduation from high school in 1928, she enrolled at Wartburg College, Waverly, where she was an education major. During her college years, Erna continued to pursue her musical interests in voice and violin. After graduating in 1930 with an art degree, she taught in country schools for four years; one year at Buck Creek parochial school and three at Denver's rural Jefferson Number Four. She was passionate about teaching and met the challenges of being the only instructor for all eight grades with energy and enthusiasm.

On June 14, 1934, Erna married Ralph Orth in Denver, Iowa. Immediately thereafter, she joined Ralph in Wyoming, where he was employed at Citizens State Bank. The couple had two daughters: Mary Esther who passed away in 2006 and Naomi (Gordon) Rowley of Baileys Harbor, Wis. Additional survivors include several nieces and nephews.

Erna was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. In addition she was a very compassionate caregiver and companion for her daughter, Mary Esther during her 30-year struggle with multiple sclerosis.

Throughout her life, Erna engaged in a wide variety of handwork including sewing, knitting, crocheting, latch hooking and quilting. At Christmastime her extensive baking and candy making brought joy to many.

Erna was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Wyoming, where she had participated in many activities, including Ladies Aid and Sunday school teaching. In addition she served on the Wyoming library board and worked for many years at the Wyoming Fair, assisting with exhibits in the Floral Hall. Erna also enjoyed her membership in the Hawthorne Club as well as bridge clubs.

She had resided at Luther Manor apartments in Dubuque since 1995, becoming a resident of the nursing home in 2005.

Memorials may be sent to the Ralph L. Orth and Erna Graening Orth Endowment for Rural Ministry at Wartburg Theological Seminary, 333 Wartburg Place, Dubuque, IA 52004 and Luther Manor, 3131 Hillcrest, Dubuque, IA 52001.