Erna Wittke

ALPENA, Mich. -- Erna Leona Wittke, 95, of Alpena and formerly of Pocahontas, Mo., died Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at the Greenview Tendercare Nursing Home.

She was born Sept. 10, 1906, in Pocahontas, the daughter of Emmanuel and Maria Haberfellner Schoen. She married the Rev. Gastav Wittke at St. John Lutheran Church in Pocahontas on June 21, 1931. He was pastor at the church, and she was the organist.

In 1944, they moved to Herron, Mich., where her husband served as pastor of the St. Matthew and Salem Lutheran congregations until his death in July 1959.

She was the organist at St. Matthew Church for more than 30 years. After her husband's death, she was an assistant school cook for 13 years.

She was a member of the Farm Bureau Pioneers Community Action Group.

She is survived by a son, Dr. Paul Wittke of Knoxville, Tenn.; two granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.

Four sisters and two brothers preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from noon until the time of services at 1 p.m. Sunday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Vicar Leslie Nye will officiate.

Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery in Pocahontas at a time to be announced.

Wachterhauser Funeral Home in Alpena is in charge of arrangements.