Erna F. Zarling, age 91, of West Bend, was called home by our Lord to her eternal rest on Friday, October 12, 2012.
Erna was born on February 2, 1921 in West Bend to the late Fred and Laura (nee Paff) Rosenthal. She was united in marriage to Marvin Zarling on May 27, 1948 at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend where she was a lifelong member. Erna was a personal banker in West Bend for many years at the former First National Bank and later at M&I Bank. She enjoyed gardening and loved caring for her children and grandchildren. Erna was a selfless woman with a strong faith who lived her life by the simple principal of always putting God first, her husband second, and her children third.
Erna is survived by her three children, Carol (Jim) Stoltz of West Bend, Doug Zarling of West Bend, and Debbie (Bob) Merkel of Brookfield; her five grandchildren, Robert "Spike" (Erica) Stoltz, Kyle (special friend Alexandra Decker) Stoltz, Alex Zarling, Benjamin (Ashleigh) Zarling, and Michael (Kimberly) Howard; her two great-grandchildren, Sophia and Reid Stoltz; her sister Anita (Jim) Richter of Milwaukee; and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Erna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son-in-law, Jim Howard; her three sisters, Lola (Walter) Werner, Alice (Slim) Peebler, and Dorothy (Herbert) Werner; and her brother, Henry (Viola) Rosenthal.
A funeral service in honor of Erna will be held on Monday, October 15th at 6:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home (1315 W. Washington St. West Bend). Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00 pm until the time of service. Burial will be in Washington County Memorial Park on Tuesday, October 16th at 10:00 am.
Memorials to St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church Endowment Fund would be greatly appreciated.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Cedar Community, especially at the Friendship House, for all the love and care they gave our mom.