ERMA GURSKI

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Erma Mae Dean Gurski announces her passing on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Pinewood Court in Thunder Bay, Ont. with her daughter by her side.
Erma was born to Eli and Katherine Johnson on May 10, 1931 in Barwick, Ont. She then moved with her family to Fort Frances, Ont. in 1946.
Erma and Nick were united in marriage on Nov. 29, 1952 in Fort Frances, where they raised their three children and successfully ran Russell’s Moving and Storage for more than 40 years.
Erma was a very hard worker who always took pride in keeping her house clean, and was always ready to “whiten” your laundry and assist in stain removal.
She was a long-time member of the Zion Lutheran Church on Scott Street, where she was a member of the Altar Guild for more than 40 years.
Erma had her own sense of humour and marched to the beat of her own drum. To know her was to love her.
With failing health, Erma moved to the Thunder Bay in 2005 to be closer to her Thunder Bay family. Although she liked Thunder Bay, she loved Fort Frances as this was her home and she spoke often and fondly of one day returning to her home on Williams Ave., where it all began for her and Nick.
Erma was predeceased by her husband, Nick, in 2001, who will be waiting for her in Heaven. She also was predeceased by her brothers, Lorne and Jimmy Johnson, and Harry Walden; sister and brother-in-law, Annie and Art Legarrie; and sister-in-law, Yvonne Johnson.
She is survived by Brenda (John) Monsma and their children, Crystal (Armando) and their children, Chiara and Nico Simeoni, and Jason (Renee) Monsma, Les (Tina) and their children, Matthew, Lauren, Adriane, and Maggie Gurski, and Mike (Sharon) and their children, Scott and Nick Gurski.
She also is survived by her sister, Bonnie (Harvey) Cooper; brothers, Ralph and Ed (Mary), Ken (Marie), and Rudy Johnson; sisters-in-law, Lucille Johnson and Pat Walden; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Frances, with Pastor Brian Keffer officiating.
Interment will take place at a later date in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
The pallbearers will be Matthew Gurski, Scott Gurski, Jason Monsma, Nadine Johnson, Joe Johnson, and Armando Simeoni.
The honourary pallbearers will be all of Erma’s family.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Recreation Department of Pinewood Court, 2625 East Walsh St. Thunder Bay, Ont., P7E 2E5 or to the Zion Lutheran Church, 1105 Scott St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1J7, or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com
Rest in peace, Mom. We will miss you.