ERNA KAMPEN

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ERNA KAMPEN Erna Kampen passed away peacefully on March 5, 2014, at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home at the age of 81. Erna was born on November 20, 1932 in Arkadak, Ukraine, the oldest of five children. Her parents were Abram and Natalia Kampen (nee Petkau). As an eight year old child she was separated from her family. While visiting her relatives in Chortitza in 1941 the war reached Ukraine and Erna was unable to return to her parents and siblings. She remained with her grandmother and other relatives throughout the difficult war years and fled with them when the German army retreated in 1943. In Nördlingen, Germany, the Stenger family provided a loving home for her until February, 1947, when she and her grandmother, together with many other Mennonites, embarked on the long journey to Paraguay aboard the "Volendam". Despite the many challenges that life in Paraguay brought, Erna was able to complete her studies and begin working as a teacher. In 1955 Erna arrived in Winnipeg with her grandmother. Here, together with other relatives, she was able to start a new life. In 1960 she began her career as a bookkeeper with Monarch Industries. Erna was a dedicated and valued member of the staff there for 33 years. During her holidays and after her retirement in 1993, Erna enjoyed travelling to many destinations throughout North America and Europe with various friends and relatives. Trips to visit her parents and siblings in Russia and later in Germany were special highlights. Erna loved the outdoors and often travelled to the Whiteshell Provincial Park. She also spent many happy hours tending her beautiful flower garden on Downing Street. Erna enjoyed attending concerts and theatre productions, and even travelled to Minneapolis to see an opera. Erna was an active member of the First Mennonite Church from the time she first arrived in Winnipeg. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served as a deacon for many years. Erna was a loving, compassionate caregiver, who always gave generously of her time and gifts. She was a gentle, unassuming person whom friends and family could always depend on. Erna's strength of character stemmed from her strong faith in God, and it was this strong faith that sustained her through many challenging times, including living uncomplainingly with Parkinson's disease for the last ten years of her life. She was determined to remain independent as long as possible and thanks to many caring homecare workers, Erna was able to stay in her apartment until she moved into Bethania in the summer of 2012. With her characteristic determination, quiet strength and sense of humour she quickly adjusted to her new home and actively participated in the Bethania community. Her extended family is very grateful to the staff at Bethania for their compassionate care. Erna will be lovingly remembered by her sisters Dina Berg, Elfrieda Tiessen, Lyda Rovkina, her sister-in-law Erna Kampen, as well as her nieces and nephews and many cousins and friends. Erna was predeceased by her parents, Abram and Natalia Kampen, her stepmother, Lena Kampen, her brother Volodja Kampen, her brothers-in-law Wilhelm Berg, Dimitri Tiessen and Vladimir Rovkina. The funeral service will be held on Monday, March 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at First Mennonite Church (Notre Dame and Arlington) with viewing prior to the service. Interment in Green Acres Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Erna's memory can be made to Mennonite Central Committee or Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home - Spiritual Care Program.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 08, 2014