Erna Block

July 25, 1929 – October 30, 2018

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Erna Block on October 30, 2018.

A Celebration of her Life was held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at the Bakerview M.B. Church.

Erna Block was born July 25, 1929 to Peter & Agneta Block at Herbert, Saskatchewan. She was baptized at the German Baptist Church in Swan River, Manitoba.

The family moved to Yarrow BC where Erna attended school and sang in the choir at the MB Church and served as pianist for the church quartet. Erna was deeply committed to her Christian faith which found expression in both her professional and volunteer activities.

Erna attended MB Bible College in Winnipeg. Erna acquired her Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), after which, she taught for many years in the Prince George area schools. She was also the church librarian at the Westwood MB Church during this time.

In her early teaching years, she spent a number of Sundays organizing and teaching Sunday School in Lake Errock, B.C. She taught in the B.C. public school system in Surrey, Mission and Prince George.

She also taught at the International School of Curitiba, Brazil under the auspices of the MB Mission board where she spent 3 years (1968-1971) in Quito, Ecuador helping the David Nightingale’s in the radio ministry.

Mennonite Brethren Churches she has been a member of are Yarrow, B.C.; Westwood in Prince George, B.C., Bakerview in Abbotsford and Clearbrook, B.C.

In retirement, her energies went to organizing and growing the library of the Westwood M.B. Church in Prince George, B.C. Upon moving to Clearbrook, Erna volunteered for the Mennonite Historical Society. Erna was a devoted aunt to all her nieces and nephews, their spouses and children. She kept in touch with them through cards and emails and enjoyed inviting them to her home and playing games together Erna upheld them all in her daily prayers.

Erna passed away on October 30, 2018 in Abbotsford, B.C. She is survived by Dora Friesen, Elfrieda Block and Pat Royston and many nieces and nephews.