After 24 years, Erna Wolter Stolleis, born November 26, 1920 was reunited with the love of her life, Wilbert E. "Bill" Stolleis on Monday, November 3, 2014. Also there to greet Erna were her oldest son, Douglas, her parents, Herman and Frances Wolter, as well as her five sisters, Tillie, Frieda, Clara, Dora, and Frances "Mutzie". Erna was baptized as a child of God on December 26, 1920, with her Confirmation at St. John's Evangelist Lutheran Church, Westhoff, Texas on June 9, 1935 helping instill her love of God. As Bill and Erna married June 30, 1940, her life of faith and love continued in their membership at Emanuel's Lutheran Church in Seguin, Texas on March 3, 1941. Soon adding to their family were son Douglas and 14 months later, daughter, Barbara. Following Bill's service in WW II the family of four continued their life of love and dedication with the arrival of another son, Darryl several years later. With only an 8th grade education, Erna continued her life of service by becoming a long-time employee of Sears, Roebuck and Company, fondly remembered as the friendly telephone sales clerk gaining many friendships in the Seguin area, for 33 ½ years before her retirement.
Erna was active in Emanuel's Lutheran Ladies' Aid, serving as President and other offices, devoted to preparations of the annual bazaar in November, a member of the Hope Circle, and later helping in the church office. Erna and Bill were both active members of the Seguin American Legion H U Wood Post 245 as well as Erna being a long-time active member of their Ladies Auxiliary for many years. They enjoyed spending Friday evenings and weekends in the company of family and friends there. Stern Lodge Herman Sons #143 played a big part of their lives with Erna serving as President while Bill served many years as Financial Secretary. In later years, Erna served the organization as their local insurance agent. While son Darryl and wife Christine resided in England in 1981, Bill and Erna had the opportunity to visit England and Germany for 6 weeks adding many wonderful memories to their lives. Erna was well known for her abilities as an excellent seamstress, wonderful baker of cinnamon rolls and coffee cake. She enjoyed playing "42", bunco and then later playing bingo and dominoes at Argent Court. She will always be remembered for her love of polka and oom-pah-pah music and would tap her feet and clap her hands to the beat. Many people still made comments about how she was always happy and having a smile on her face. Erna and Bill loved to dance to oom-pah-pah music and were happy to celebrate their 40th and 50th anniversaries with dinner/dance parties with family and friends. Throughout Erna's life, she always put her family first. She is survived by daughter, Barbara and son, Darryl, with their respective spouses, Donald Morawietz, and Christine Stolleis, as well as daughter-in-law Genevieve Stolleis. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Christie Aldridge and her husband, Jimmy; Kary Morawietz and his wife Kerry; Kim Thompson and her husband, Tommy; David Stolleis with friend, Kerrie Glover; Dawn Orange and husband, Brian; Jennifer Kudlacik and her husband, Glenn, Brian Stolleis and wife, Fe, and by six great-grandchildren, Kye Morawietz, Kory Morawietz, Carson Aldridge, Garrett Orange, Dane and Luke Kudlacik as well as sister-in-law, Trula Kuester of Cuero, Texas, and many loyal, loving and caring nieces and nephews. Three exceptionally special and dear people to Erna are Ronnie & Julia Glenewinkel of Seguin and Ruth Mittag of Rivera, Texas. Special thanks to Argent Court and all the wonderful, caring staff for the eleven years of her residency. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary with funeral services to be held at Emanuel's Lutheran Church, 206 North Travis Street, Seguin, Texas 78155 on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Paul J. Zwarich officiating, burial to follow at San Geronimo Cemetery immediately following the service. A reception for family and friends will be held at the Seguin American Legion Hall, 618 East Kingsbury Street, Seguin, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Emanuel's Lutheran Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, Tennessee, 38101-9908.