Obituary of Erika Berta Franzen

Erika Berta Franzen passed away peacefully at Valley View Villa, Riverton, where she had been a guest for the past two months. She was born in Germany on January 27, 1925, and recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Before moving to the Villa, Erika had enjoyed living at Haven Brook Manor in Riverton for over twelve years. Erika was fiercely independent and showed remarkable resilience throughout her life. In spite of the challenges of a war during her teen years, a year-long internment in a Russian prison camp, the decision to immigrate to Canada all alone in 1954 and the death of her husband at a young age, Erika’s indomitable spirit allowed her to carry on through it all. Erika had the good fortune to be surrounded by family and friends who were ‘like family’ all her life. After her retirement in Nova Scotia, she travelled extensively to Montreal, Germany, Florida and many other countries to visit them. Erika always liked to be active. She was passionate about walking and liked to get out in all weather. She could often be seen walking along the road in Eureka and Riverton and was never shy about encouraging others to walk. She was an avid gardener and loved growing flowers inside and outside her home. Erika knitted beautiful lace tablecloths and doilies which she gifted to many friends. Erika was predeceased by her husband Wilhelm Franzen, parents, Otto and Anna Dramel, special grandmother, Berta Lange, her brothers Werner and Gunter, and a brother, Horst, in childhood. Erika is survived by close friends, Bill and Catherine Haslam and family, Troy Young and Pat Bowen and family, Charmaine Ashton, Crystal and Bruce Smith and family, Gerhard and Heike Pruess, brother-in-law Gerhard Franzen, and nieces and nephews in Germany. There will be a Celebration of Life for Erika at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 19, with Visitation at 1pm. and the funeral service beginning at 2:00 with John Reeves officiating. We would like to thank Dr. Melanie MacCara, Erika’s long-time doctor and friend, and the staff at Valley View Villa for the wonderful care that Erika received during the past two months. We are especially thankful for the exceptional and compassionate palliative care given to Erika and the support given to us. A big thank you to Shelly MacLean and the residents of Haven Brook Manor for the many ways that they looked out for Erika in the past year. We felt easier because you were there, and we deeply appreciate your care and concern. Many thanks to the H.W. Angus Funeral Home for their guidance and support.