Erna Falkenberg

Erna Mary Niemeyer Falkenberg, 96, of Knippa, passed away on Monday, May 27th, 2013.

She was born March 15th, 1917, near Skidmore, in Bee County, Texas. Her parents were Gerhardt and Elizabeth Otto Dornbusch. About two years after Ernas birth, the large family moved to Knippa, where Gerhardt purchased a farm. Ernas childhood was spent working on the farm with her older brothers, and attending school and church in Knippa. When Erna began her school days, she was fluent in both German and Spanish, but did not know English. In her adult life, she became a diligent advocate for parents to speak English to their young children.

On September 23rd, 1934, she married Victor Friedrick Niemeyer of Knippa, and Erna was his helpmeet in farming, ranching, mercantile, and farm machinery businesses. Three children were born to this union: Betty Ann, Carolyn, and Victor John. Following a lengthy illness, Victor died in 1987.

Bernhard Falkenberg, former brotherinlaw and classmate, became Ernas second husband in 1989. This also marked the second elopement for her. The first one took place in San Antonio, and her second was in Las Vegas, Nevada. Erna and Bennie spent nearly 24 happy, devoted years together, living in Knippa, and being actively involved in Church activities. As their health began to fail, they left their Knippa home and moved to an assisted living facility in New Braunfels in 2008. It was there that Bennie passed away in January of this year, and from that time on, Ernas health declined. In March she moved to Amistad Nursing Home in Uvalde, where she passed away. She was a faithful, lifelong member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Knippa.

She was preceded in death by both husbands, brothers Karl, Paul, Alvin, and Edwin Dornbusch, and sister Nora Koch. She is survived by her three children, Betty Hildebrandt and husband Walter of Schulenburg, Carolyn Reagan and husband Bob of Knippa, son Victor John Niemeyer and wife Kay of Knippa, one brother, Ernest Dornbusch of Knippa, three stepdaughters Ann Baese and husband Arlon of New Braunfels, Jean Davidson of Rockwall, and Gail Dolle and husband Larry of New Braunfels. She also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, all of whom shared many adventures with their beloved Meme. They are Lloyd Hoermann and wife Gay of Jarrell, Timmy Hoermann of Knippa, Diana Hoermann and husband Mark Krieger of Huffman, Howard Hoermann and wife Utanah of Farmers Branch, John Robert Reagan and wife Linda of Vienna, Virginia, Cathy Lloyd and husband Rodney of San Antonio, Brenda Niemeyer of Elgin, V.J. Niemeyer of Sarasota, Florida and Silke Schnell of Weinsberg, Germany. Greatgrandchildren are Brandy Bryan and husband Matt of Jarrell, Jason Hoermann and wife Britanny of Georgetown, Lance Falkenberg of Weimer, Elise Koock of Huffman, Cody Reagan and wife Meghan of Midland, Chelsea Kritz and husband Michael of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Garrett Lloyd of San Antonio. Meme was also blessed to have 4 greatgreat grandchildren: Axel Bryan, Ava Hoermann, Connor Reagan, and Lorelei Reagan. She also has 17 stepgrandchildren, 35 stepgreatgrandchildren, and 2 stepgreatgreat grandchildren. In addition, she also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Knippa with burial to follow in Knippa Cemetery. Pastor Nathan Lafrenz will officiate.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons Lloyd Hoermann, Timmy Hoermann, John Reagan, V.J. Niemeyer, Howard Hoermann, and Rodney Lloyd.

Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Knippa, Dornbusch Scholarship Fund, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Knippa, or to the charity of ones choice.

Visitation

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
2:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Rt 1 FM 1049
Knippa, TX  78870
Thursday, May 30, 2013
2:00 PM

Cemetery

Knippa Cemetery
Hwy. 90 East
Knippa, TX  78870