ERB, Mary Ann (nee Ackermann) 1939-2009
ERB, ETTEL, ACKERMANN
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/19/2009 at 14:55:21
CHARLES CITY, IOWA - Mary Ann Erb, 69, of Charles City, died Saturday, May 16, 2009, at her home.
A funeral Mass for Mary Ann will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Rev. Carl Ries and Monsignor Stanley Hayek will celebrate the Mass. Inurnment will be at a later date at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Roseville.
Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m. today where there will be a Celebration of Life service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Wednesday at the church an hour prior to the Mass.
Mary Ann Ackermann Erb was born on July 31, 1939, in Saint Paul, Minn., the daughter of Karl and Mary (Ettel) Ackermann. She graduated from Saint Agnes High School in Saint Paul, Saint Catherine's College majoring in math and German, and then attended the University of Minnesota where she received her master's degree in German. Mary Ann also received a Fulbright Scholarship and attended the University of Mainz in Germany.
On August 16, 1969, Mary Ann was united in marriage to Jim Erb in Trier, Germany. Over the years, Mary Ann was a teacher of math and German in both the United States and Germany. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where she was a Eucharistic Minister, served on the Parish Council and Spiritual Life Committee. Mary Ann also was a member of the American Association of University Women where she held offices in the Charles City branch and the state organization, Call to Action, City Improvement Association, P.E.O., Charles City Women's Club, American Legion Auxiliary and the Democratic Party. She worked on the Women's Appointment Coalition, led two student groups in the Experiment in International Living Program, assisted with the high school GAPP program including co-leading several student groups to Germany; she translated a number of German texts to English for a recently published book.
Family, friends and community were extremely important to Mary Ann. She always kept the family flame burning brightly and will be remembered for always inspiring everyone to do better. Family trips were special times and she was the chief planner and photographer. Mary Ann was also the "glue" for a vast number of friends such as The J's, Neighbors Card Club, the Global Group, Birthday Group, Yak and Snack, Newcomers Bridge Group and the Ya-Ya's. When it came to community issues she was a life long learner who never stopped asking questions. This led her to become involved in many improvement efforts. She was passionate about a wide variety of issues and activities.
Living family members include her husband, Jim Erb, of Charles City; three children, Elizabeth (Scott) Firmstone of South Elgin, Ill., Paul (Michele) Erb of White Plains, N.Y., and Joe Erb of Bellingham, Wash.; three grandchildren, Lucas, Maxwell and Charles Firmstone; three brothers, Anthony Ackermann, of Saint Paul, Minn., Karl (Gladys) Ackermann of Misawa, Japan and Fred (Paula) Ackermann of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and a sister, Monica Ackermann, of Bellingham, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Immaculate Conception Educational Development Fund, Family YMCA, Charles City Arts Center, TLC Learning Center, Jordan River Community Kitchen and the Labyrinth Memorial in care of the Charles City Arts Center.
The Hauser Funeral Home, www.hauserfh.com , in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements - 641-228-2323.
[Published in the Globe Gazette online - 5/19/2009]
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