September 5, 1931 - November 25, 2020
Born in Chilliwack, B.C., Erna was the second eldest in a musical family of nine children. Her parents, Olga and Henry Mueller were of German Mennonite heritage; they were born in Russia and due to persecution there immigrated to Canada in 1929. Neither of them ever saw their family again except for one sister who was able to join them 30 years later, and some cousins.
Erna's father was a builder and bricklayer as well as farmer. Both parents loved music and they often sang together as a family with the father playing guitar. All the children were encouraged to study a musical instrument. As an elder sibling, Erna learned to organize events. She studied as a teacher and found that music teachers were in great demand. Teaching gave her many opportunities to organize concerts and choirs.
In 1966 Erna, with husband Bill and three children, moved to Grand Forks after Bill accepted a position as a Geography teacher at GFSS. Erna began teaching music at Dr. Perley Elementary School which opened many opportunities for volunteer work. She also began teaching private students at $2 a lesson, since the previous piano teacher came from Rossland every week and was not returning.
Music:
1967 - Erna formed three choirs: Perley Elementary, Grand Forks Songsters Community choir and GFSS choir. The choirs regularly entered music festivals in Trail and Nelson with great success.
1970 - The GFSS choir placed first in the Kootenay Region and won a free trip to Vancouver where they sang before the Queen at the 1971 BC Choir and Band Centennial Championships.
1969 - 1984 - Erna organized 13 Christmas Carol Choir events, inviting all choirs from churches, schools and community to participate.
1985 - Together with Linda and Elenore Martens, Erna established the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto Exam Center #723 in Grand Forks, so that students no longer had to travel to Trail or Nelson for exams.
1991 - 2014 - Boundary Music Educators Association - seven music teachers formed this group with Bruce Grattan as first President.
Erna was President for 10 years. Their goal was to promote music in the Boundary: they had 15 scholarship competitions, 23 Canada Music Week Galas as well as recitals and concerts involving hundreds of youth.
Figure Skating
1966 - 1989 - Director, Vice President and President in Grand Forks - 9 years; Secretary, Region Chairman - 3 years; Carnival Chair, Sunshine Valley Open Comp, Kootenay Region Championships, Winter Games Skate-Off, involved in Canadian meetings and 1988 Olympics in Grand Forks. Precision Judge for competitions. Organized workshops.
Boundary District Arts Council 1991 - 2014 - Erna organized 15 BC Arts and Culture Week events, 15 Arts Week Galas and was Presenter of the Performance Series concerts for 12 years. She was nominated for BC Presenter of the Year.
St John's United Church 1966 - 2014 - Sunday School director, 15 years; pianist and organist 19 years; choir director
Awards
1989 - Kootenay Region plaque for 15 years of service
1990 - Silver Tray and Life member of GF Figure Skating Club
2005 - Fall Fair Photography trophy
2005 - Silver Tray from GF Choral Society
2006 - Freedom of the City award
2006 - Life member of the Boundary District Arts Council
2013 - Plaque from Boundary District Arts Council
Besides music and organizing events, Erna loved taking impromptu photographs, travelling and visiting her 3 children, 12 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She is survived by son Brian (Heather; children Matthew, Rielle and Luke); daughter Cheryl (Geraint; children Rachel-Chris with daughter Audrey, Matthew, Gavin, Joshua, Madeleine and Gillian); and son Geoff (Eileen; children Jair, Zach-Courtnay and Tessa-Richard).
Due to Covid restrictions, a small graveside service for family was held at Evergreen Cemetery on November 27, 2020.