Erna Finke

Erna Elisabeth Schulze Finke passed from this earthly life, May 23, 2013 at Scott and White Hospital in Brenham at the age of 96 years, 7 months, 16 days. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2013 at Brenham Memorial Chapel. Services for Erna Schulze Finke will be Monday, May 27, 2013 at 2 p.m. from St. John Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill with Pastor David Hansen officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

She was the ninth child born to Friedrich Wilhelm Carl (C.C.) and Bertha (Preuss) Schulze. Born on October 7, 1916 in Prairie Hill Community of Washington County, Texas, Erna was baptized by Rev. Friedrich Apfelbach on December 10, 1916 at St. John Lutheran Church. Rocky Hill School provided her education. Her confirmation was March 29, 1931 by Rev. Paul Gogolin at St. John, Prairie Hill, where she was an abiding, lifelong member.

On December 2, 1935 she was married to Gilbert Finke by Rev. Gogolin at St. John. Survivors include children Kervin and Ruth (Rau) Finke and Bobby and Judith (Jaster) Finke; grandchildren Gayle (Darrell) Himly, Kevin (Anna) Finke, Lisa Finke, Jahn (Jill) Finke and Jael (Guy) Prothro; also great-grandchildren Jacob and Ryan Finke, Kallie Finke, Connor Himly, Camryn and Owen Finke and Sadie and Sophie Prothro. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, her husband Gilbert (July 21, 1995), her father and mother-in-law Louis and Sophie (Wernecke) Finke and siblings, Edwin (Emma) Schulze, Frieda Schulze (Edward) Deem, Reinhardt (Wilma) Schulze, Ella Schulze (Ed) Wellmann, William Carl (Bennie) Schulze, Herbert (Ruby) Schulze, Lena Schulze (Robert) Finke and Alvina Schulze. She was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law Melvon, Marvin and Albert Finke and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Herbert and Louisebell Finke.

Her grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Her great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorials may be directed to St. John Lutheran Church, Prairie Hill.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX.
979.836.3611 Condolences may be offered at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com