Ernestine 'Erna' Loeser Ernst

Ernestine "Erna" Loeser Ernst Died on March 24, 2013, of Alzheimer's Complications at Alamo Nursing Home. She was born on July 19, 1915, to David and Martha Loeser, Berlin, Germany. A Holocaust survivor, Erna lived in Berlin, Germany, until 1937. She lived in Tel-Aviv, Israel, until 1952, then Decatur 2 years, then Dowagiac 10 years and in Kalamazoo Co. since 1964 Portage, Washington Square, Westland Meadows, Merrill Residence, Upjohn Directors Hall and Alamo Nursing Home since 2007. She formerly belonged to Congregation of Moses and Temple B'Nai Israel and taught religious school for both. She worked 1965-72 as the Kalamazoo Public Schools elementary-bookroom librarian, later forming two volunteer non-profits Kalamazoo Ass'n of Tutors and Learning Express that promoted volunteer tutoring. She was divorced from Max Ernst. She is survived by sons Jerry Janell Ernst of Owosso and David Ernst of Bedford, niece Marjory Gary Gaynor of S.C., nephew Ken Corbin of Indiana, cousin Thea Loeser of New Jersey and more distant relatives out of state. She was predeceased by her brother Louis Loeser, formerly of Decatur, in 1980. She loved dogs, music, customs and American hospitality. Visitation will be 10 a.m. - noon at the Langeland Family Funeral Home, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. on Thursday, March 28, 2013. Graveside service will follow at Jewish Riverside Cemetery at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Rabbi Harvey Spivak officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or Alamo Nursing Home Activity Fund.