Tribute

Erika was born on July 29, 1935, to Jacob and Kathe Wittenberg (nee Neufeld) in the village of Hamberg, Ukraine. Erika soon welcomed her younger brothers, Victor and Ervin, and took on the role of big sister, with all the joys (and work!) that brought. Her father was taken away to Siberia at a young age, and she never got to know him.  But in spite of tough times this family was blessed with strong relationships around them and a strong faith in the LORD. They made a way together, out of Ukraine and into Germany, and then into Canada in 1949.

There was a constant sense of God’s mighty hand guiding and guarding the family as her mother, grandmother, aunts and cousins made their way to Canada. The Wittenbergs first settled in the Fraser Valley. A couple of years later, in 1952, the family moved to Vancouver. They eventually settled in the home on 57th Avenue – with beautiful rose bushes which influenced Erika’s love of flowers and green thumb to grow them.

Erika’s faith in Jesus grew vibrant as those roses as she saw it in her mother – who like Erika, was a prayer warrior.  Growing up, every evening, the family would kneel and pray – all three of them.  They had to say what they were thankful for and then recite the Lord’s Prayer in German.  Later on, at First United Mennonite Church on 52^nd Avenue, Erika was baptized, saying Jesus was her saviour, and trusting Him for her past, present and future.  She was a faithful member, serving and singing in choir.

On May 19, 1957, Erika married Rudy Schmidt and together started a new life in Abbotsford.  They moved to the dairy farm on Townline Road in 1960, and they worked hard.  Alongside Rudy, Erika would work baling hay, delivering calves, milking cows and then cooking meals, canning vegetables and baking cookies.  She said it was hard work on the farm, but mostly fun.

Erika and Rudy were pioneer members of the Eben Ezer Mennonite Church.  She served willingly and generously in the Sunday School, Ladies Aid, and choir, singing with the Mennonettes.  In the last couple of years, Erika even served on  the board.  She loved her church family, stuck with them through thick and thin, and gave with the gifts she had been given.  In the midst of this, she also found time to serve (and save!) at the MCC Thrift Store on South Fraser Way.

Kelly was born in 1969, and with the addition of him into their family, the trio was complete.  Erika had much love to give, and many bandages to put on her adventurous son, who would ride his dirt bike like a stunt driver.  He was a great help with chores and added his voice to sing and hands to work together with them on the farm.

Erika became a grandma in 1995, when Anthony was born.  And again in 2012, with the addition of Jayde.  Active Erika, she was right involved in her grandkids lives, helping with school and meals, teaching about life and God, modeling what it looked like to walk with Jesus. Erika prayed regularly for her family and many others.  She knew that as much good she could do for them, Jesus could do more.  So just as she had been taught, she would daily bring them to Jesus’ throne and ask for his blessing and guidance in their life.  The same goodness of God she had experienced—in easy times and tough times—she wanted everyone to have.

Erika’s life changed on November 28, 2005, when Rudy, her husband of 48 years, passed on to be with his Lord. But just as the Lord had been faithful in the past, Erika put her hope that He would be faithful in the present. And He was.

On November 25, 2024 after a sudden stroke and surgery, Erika’s faith became sight, as she went home to be with Jesus.

Erika was predeceased by her husband Rudy, her parents, Jacob and Kathe, her mother in law, her siblings, Victor, Erwin, and Lily, along with her aunts and uncles, many cousins, and close friends.  Erika looked forward to that great celebration when she, together with them, would sing with a renewed voice in a great choir before her Lord and Saviour, Jesus.  Erika will be missed very much as a mother, grandmother, cousin, aunt, and friend.