Obituary for Erna Lydia Kuhl (Pyde)
KUHL, Erna Lydia (nee Pyde)
October 18, 1932 – May 15, 2022
“For God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He that is seated on the throne said, “I am making all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:4-6)
A story Erna often shared with her three children was the experience of hearing her father’s dying words as they were escaping westward before the advancing Russian army during WWII. They were in a convent, near Dresden, seeking refuge, when her father, who had previously suffered a stroke, lay dying. Erna remembered her father looking heavenward and repeatedly expressing, “O, how beautiful, O, how beautiful!” This had a deep influence on her as a 12 year old, leading her into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Erna died peacefully, taking her last breath in the morning hours of Sunday, May15, 2022 – she was 89 years old. It seemed she knew she was going home as the Sunday before, during her daughter's visit, she kept pointing to the family portrait, wanting to touch her husband's face. Now, she is seeing for herself, “O, how beautiful” heaven really is. God, in His mercy, released Erna from her earthly body and welcomed her into His Kingdom.
Erna was born on Tuesday, October 18, 1932. She was the youngest child of Robert and Johanna Pyde, who with her brother, Eduard, all preceded her in death. She grieved the loss of her husband, Guenther, who passed away on January 10, 2021. They were married for 68 years sharing life's blessings and life's struggles. She leaves behind her three children, Roland, Dagmar and Cornelia, who along with their spouses, Lynne, Reinhard and Kelly, shared with them six grandchildren – Aaron (Dayna), Nathan (Alicia), Eli (Tawny), Heather, Nigel, Hilary and twelve great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Charlotte, Corban, Selah, Isaiah, Deacon, Matthias, Caleb, Reed, Phinehas. Bennett and Natalie.
Though her Canadian citizenship papers note Poland as her place of birth, Erna’s actual records suggest her birthplace was in Polish occupied Ukraine in 1932. Over the years her parents moved the family westward closer to German occupied Poland near Posen. In 1945, as the war was ending, Erna, with her parents, took whatever possessions they could carry and headed west to what was to become West Germany, settling with her mother in Celle, near Hanover, her father having died along on the way.
It was while living in Celle that a young man met her brother, Eduard, in Bremen, as they were making plans to emigrate to Canada. Eduard had a photo of his sister which intrigued this young man. He fell in love with her when they met and Erna became engaged to Guenther Kuhl. With Guenther having emigrated to Canada (with his brother and her brother) and Erna still in Celle, they corresponded for over a year. They were married in Canada when Erna followed a short while later, in the town of Whitemouth, Manitoba on November 22, 1952.
Together they moved westward to Prince Rupert, British Columbia in 1953, where all three of their children were born. In 1960 they moved across Canada to St. Catharines, Ontario where Guenther and Erna lived the rest of their lives raising their children and making a life together.
Erna was a homemaker, caring for her family with love. She had the gift of hospitality and her home was always open to guests for Sunday dinners and countless gatherings with family and friends. She was a wonderful cook and exceptional baker so there was always good food to share and lots of laughter to experience. One of Erna’s greatest enjoyments was tending to her roses and being in her garden. Until her grandchildren arrived. Then they replaced her beautiful roses to become her pride and joy.
Erna lived a life of faith in Jesus Christ and instilled that same deep faith in her children. She was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church, singing in the choir and heading the kitchen for many years. She especially loved being in the kitchen during Vacation Bible School and serving snacks to the lively children. Erna always brought her famous egg salad and tuna salad buns along with her signature German torte to every church function. Along with a group of friends, Erna enjoyed hosting game nights. She was a competitive player and her favourite games were Road to Mexico, Shanghai and SkipBo, all games she could still manage after her stroke.
On April 11, 2006, Erna suffered a debilitating stroke that left her unable to speak and confined to a wheelchair. Erna and her husband Guenther moved to an apartment at Heidehof Home for the Aged and then, after a few years, into the nursing home, where they lived together in the same room until Guenther’s death in 2021. There they shared their lives as they had always done and continued to love each other and spend time with their family.
Erna is now experiencing a resurrected life as she is embraced by her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. She has been faithful unto death and has received her crown of life.
A private family service will be held at the gravesite at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. For those desiring to make a donation in remembrance of Erna Kuhl, you are invited to share in her support of the sanctity of human life by donating to Clarity Pregnancy Options, in partnership with Elisha House, 48 Burgar Street, Welland, Ontario L3B 2S8 (claritypregnancy.ca)
Arrangements entrusted to Considerate Cremation & Burial Services, 26 Nihan Drive, St. Catharines (between Lake Street & Scott Street), 289-362-1144. Online condolences may be made at CCBSCares.ca
October 18, 1932 – May 15, 2022
“For God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He that is seated on the throne said, “I am making all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:4-6)
A story Erna often shared with her three children was the experience of hearing her father’s dying words as they were escaping westward before the advancing Russian army during WWII. They were in a convent, near Dresden, seeking refuge, when her father, who had previously suffered a stroke, lay dying. Erna remembered her father looking heavenward and repeatedly expressing, “O, how beautiful, O, how beautiful!” This had a deep influence on her as a 12 year old, leading her into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Erna died peacefully, taking her last breath in the morning hours of Sunday, May15, 2022 – she was 89 years old. It seemed she knew she was going home as the Sunday before, during her daughter's visit, she kept pointing to the family portrait, wanting to touch her husband's face. Now, she is seeing for herself, “O, how beautiful” heaven really is. God, in His mercy, released Erna from her earthly body and welcomed her into His Kingdom.
Erna was born on Tuesday, October 18, 1932. She was the youngest child of Robert and Johanna Pyde, who with her brother, Eduard, all preceded her in death. She grieved the loss of her husband, Guenther, who passed away on January 10, 2021. They were married for 68 years sharing life's blessings and life's struggles. She leaves behind her three children, Roland, Dagmar and Cornelia, who along with their spouses, Lynne, Reinhard and Kelly, shared with them six grandchildren – Aaron (Dayna), Nathan (Alicia), Eli (Tawny), Heather, Nigel, Hilary and twelve great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Charlotte, Corban, Selah, Isaiah, Deacon, Matthias, Caleb, Reed, Phinehas. Bennett and Natalie.
Though her Canadian citizenship papers note Poland as her place of birth, Erna’s actual records suggest her birthplace was in Polish occupied Ukraine in 1932. Over the years her parents moved the family westward closer to German occupied Poland near Posen. In 1945, as the war was ending, Erna, with her parents, took whatever possessions they could carry and headed west to what was to become West Germany, settling with her mother in Celle, near Hanover, her father having died along on the way.
It was while living in Celle that a young man met her brother, Eduard, in Bremen, as they were making plans to emigrate to Canada. Eduard had a photo of his sister which intrigued this young man. He fell in love with her when they met and Erna became engaged to Guenther Kuhl. With Guenther having emigrated to Canada (with his brother and her brother) and Erna still in Celle, they corresponded for over a year. They were married in Canada when Erna followed a short while later, in the town of Whitemouth, Manitoba on November 22, 1952.
Together they moved westward to Prince Rupert, British Columbia in 1953, where all three of their children were born. In 1960 they moved across Canada to St. Catharines, Ontario where Guenther and Erna lived the rest of their lives raising their children and making a life together.
Erna was a homemaker, caring for her family with love. She had the gift of hospitality and her home was always open to guests for Sunday dinners and countless gatherings with family and friends. She was a wonderful cook and exceptional baker so there was always good food to share and lots of laughter to experience. One of Erna’s greatest enjoyments was tending to her roses and being in her garden. Until her grandchildren arrived. Then they replaced her beautiful roses to become her pride and joy.
Erna lived a life of faith in Jesus Christ and instilled that same deep faith in her children. She was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church, singing in the choir and heading the kitchen for many years. She especially loved being in the kitchen during Vacation Bible School and serving snacks to the lively children. Erna always brought her famous egg salad and tuna salad buns along with her signature German torte to every church function. Along with a group of friends, Erna enjoyed hosting game nights. She was a competitive player and her favourite games were Road to Mexico, Shanghai and SkipBo, all games she could still manage after her stroke.
On April 11, 2006, Erna suffered a debilitating stroke that left her unable to speak and confined to a wheelchair. Erna and her husband Guenther moved to an apartment at Heidehof Home for the Aged and then, after a few years, into the nursing home, where they lived together in the same room until Guenther’s death in 2021. There they shared their lives as they had always done and continued to love each other and spend time with their family.
Erna is now experiencing a resurrected life as she is embraced by her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. She has been faithful unto death and has received her crown of life.
A private family service will be held at the gravesite at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. For those desiring to make a donation in remembrance of Erna Kuhl, you are invited to share in her support of the sanctity of human life by donating to Clarity Pregnancy Options, in partnership with Elisha House, 48 Burgar Street, Welland, Ontario L3B 2S8 (claritypregnancy.ca)
Arrangements entrusted to Considerate Cremation & Burial Services, 26 Nihan Drive, St. Catharines (between Lake Street & Scott Street), 289-362-1144. Online condolences may be made at CCBSCares.ca