Obituary of Erna O'Donnell

Erna P O'Donnell, of Bloomington, Indiana, formerly of Lockport, New York and Victoria, BC, Canada, passed away peacefully at Sterling House on Saturday, April 16. She was born in Tuscola, near Frankenmuth, Michigan to Mathilda and Henry Palmreuter. Erna's family moved to Wolcottsville, N.Y., where her father was a Lutheran school teacher. Before World War II, Erna began working at Harrison Radiator in Lockport, NY. She continued her employment at Harrison for 30 years with a brief interruption to raise her children. In May 1945, Erna married George O'Donnell, who had served his country during World War II in the U.S. Navy. She is survived by her two children, George T. (Linda) of Bloomington, IN, Barbara Smart (Reg), two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren of Victoria and Vancouver, BC, Canada. Erna was preceded in death by her husband, her four brothers and her twin sister Verna Sherrick. Erna was a devoted, generous, and loving mother and grandmother. She worked tirelessly so that her children could have an education. She brightened her home with her flower gardens and was beloved by her neighbors for her friendliness and kindness. When she had to move closer to family because she could no longer look after herself, she still brought joy, smiles and friendship to all she met in Victoria, BC and Bloomington, IN. Erna was a devout Lutheran all her life and attended Trinity Lutheran in Lockport, NY, Grace Lutheran in Victoria, BC and Faith Lutheran in Bloomington, IN. Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service Sunday at 1 PM in Prudden &amp; Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport. Please visit www.pruddenandkandt.com to leave a condolence. <h3>Visitation</h3> No prior visitation. <h3>Services</h3> Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service Sunday at 1 PM in Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St., Lockport.