Monday, October 25, 2010, the angels came and took our beloved Mother, Erna Grunert, home to be with her Lord. Erna was born on July 27, 1927, in Okalew, Poland, one of eight brothers and sisters, to Olga and Barnhart Banka. Her early life was very difficult and when WWII began, the family was forced to move to Germany; they had to walk the whole way. After the War, Erna met and married Heinrich Grunert on November 6, 1948. In March of 1952, Erna, her husband and their first born son arrived in Oroville by train. They were sponsored by David Thorndike. When they had fulfilled their commitment to the Thorndike's, Heinrich and Erna bought land and planted apple trees. She also raised vegetables to sell for many years. Heinrich, Erna and their four sons continued farming until Heinrich and Erna retired. In 2003, Heinrich passed away and Erna spent the rest of her days at home, surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by four sons, Arno, Frank, Siegfrid and Robert, all of Oroville; two brothers, Heinrich Banka of Oroville and Ludwig Banka of Germany; one sister, Lidia Rothkegel of Germany; the sunshine of her last years, a granddaughter, Emily; and a special friend, J.C. Fredrick of Oroville.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bergh Chapel in Oroville, with Pastor Rod Brown officiating. Interment will follow at the Oroville Riverview Cemetery. The family asks that any memorials be given to the "Our House" facility in Wenatchee or Okanogan County Hospice. Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville is in care of arrangements.