On June 29, 2022 in the presence of the Lord, it is with heartfelt sorrow that we as a family wish to announce the passing of Erika Wilhelmina Waberski at age 92. Erika was born in Nuremberg, Germany on May 17, 1930. She pursued her passion of becoming a Pediatric nurse which eventually led her way to immigrating to Canada with her husband Guenther (deceased 2003) in 1952. After stops in Halifax, Winnipeg and Vancouver, Victoria became their home.
Numerous Victorians welcomed and embraced both Erika and Guenther, supported them and became lifelong friends. Their growing years in the community lead Erika to a position with the food service industry at Queen Alexandra and Royal Jubilee Hospital and then embarked on a new challenge – self employment. With Guenther, they owned the popular Karin’s delicatessen on View St for many years. Erika and Guenther were long time members and supporters of the Victoria Edelweiss Club and Hope Lutheran Church.
Family was a priority in Erika’s life, and with 6 grandchildren Nathan (Alysia), Alanna (Ryan), Tielo (Chantal), Kielan (Brianna), Mariah (Jared) and Sheldon, followed by 11 great-grandchildren, she had plenty of family to enjoy.
This year, she celebrated her 92nd birthday with her family especially her 3 children Michael (Susan), Petra (Jaroslav) and Christa (Robert). Our vibrant mother lost her battle of life 6 weeks later. A good life, one of many hills and valleys, one of numerous sacrifices but all in pursuit of a better life for her family. She will be sadly missed by her family, her sister, Gertrud Jackisch, relatives in Germany and all of her friends, who she so deeply cherished.
The family would like to thank Dr. Arlo Green and the staff at Saanich Peninsula Hospital for their care, their support and compassion for Mom.
A Celebration of Life to honour and celebrate Erika (our Mom, Oma and Uri) will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 1924 Carrick Street, Victoria, BC, on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 12:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Erika’s memory can be made to Hope Lutheran Legacy Fund or a charity of your choice.
“Your presence we miss. Your memory we treasure. Loving you always. Forgetting you never.”
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Dagmar und Walther Keller, Johanna and Nils Maser, Stefanie Keller
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Glen & Loretta Burns Christa & Rob, Petra, Michael and family…
We just heard of your Mom’s passing and wish to offer our deepest condolences.
Your Mother was such a lovely caring lady and I was happy to know both her and Guenther. They were such wonderful role models to you all. I know you will have many great memories to cherish and pass on to all her grandchildren. Thinking of you with kindest thoughts.
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Gina Wakeham sorry Mariah….typo…
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Gina Wakeham Christa, Rob, Marian, Sheldon (and family),
I just read about the service right now (Tuesday at 3:20). I hope it was filled with love and laughter and support. Your family must have brought her so many years of joy and laughter. You were a great daughter to have Christa! Love and Hugs.
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Herma Hughes My most heartfelt condolences to Michael, Petra, Christa and family on the loss of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Erika was my good friend for 40 years. We worked together at the Edelweiss club and for many years enjoyed our monthly get together as the 6 GOLDEN GIRLS.
I was privileged to see her a few days before her death, holding hands and reminiscent old times.
Erika was a person of great faith and ready to be with the lord. May she rest in peace.
I will miss her.Herma Hughes
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Margot C Rainsford .We met Ericka and Guenther through mutual friends and went travelling with them to Costa Rica, a trip that Christa had arranged while at Woodwards’ Travel. She fell ill there and we had to leave them, she in hospital and Guenther waving us goodbye at the airport, she was later flown home with two of her daughters accompanying them. She recuperated after a long hospital stay and later we enjoyed their company with a small walking group on Tuesday mornings. We attended Guenther’s funeral with sad hearts and still Erika continued in the group until she could no longer walk the distance.
She still entertained the group whenever we were in her area and we enjoyed her baking and coffee.
We will miss her friendly smile and companionship. We are not able to attend her service but our thoughts will be there with you all. Sincerely Bob & Margot Rainsford
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Marilyn Lutzmann Michael, Petra, Christa and all the family.
My thoughts are with you as you say your final goodbye to your mom. I have such fond memories of her welcoming me into your home when I was new to Victoria. Those family dinners meant a lot to me. Twenty five years later when I returned to Victoria and worked at the museum gift shop I would often see her with her friends coming and going to the Imax movies. She would always stop for a quick chat and share some family news. She was kind, she was fun and I will remember her with great affection.
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Norm and Myrna Friesen Michael Petra Christa – Although a long time has passed since we’ve talked, we want you to know that over the years we’ve remembered the neighborliness and friendship of Erika and Guenther (across the street on Avebury) and also with you as we were accepted into the neighborhood.
Your mom lived a long good life and we send you our best thoughts.
Norm and Myrna Friesen
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Carol Stewart Michael, Petra and Christa and all of your family.
Our condolences at this time for your precious mom. Your family was so connected to ours in our early years as we all grew up. and I treasure those memories. Even Christa as our sweet flower girl.! Because we are not living on the island anymore, we cannot get to the service, but would love if you are ever over this way (White Rock) you email us and come for a cuppa. You are in our hearts and prayers and we love you and cherish the memories of your mom and dad. They were definitely a classy couple and we enjoyed their friendship very much. Hugs to you all. Doug and Carol
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Lisa, Fabian und Maro Rückert We send our heartfelt condolences from Nuremberg, Germany to everybody of Erika‘s big and great family. It was a pleasure for my wife an me to met her in 2018. She was a wonderful person an we will always remember her. We wish you all the strength you need right know.
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Sheila and Todd Taylor Christa, Rob, Mariah, Jared, Sheldon and to all your family members,
Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences at this sad time. I know how much your Mom/Oma will be missed by all of you. You were lucky to have such a wonderful lady be a part of your life. It’s hard to say good-bye but she will always be with you.
We send our deepest sympathy and condolences. My wife, I and my grandparents are very happy to have met Erika again in person 3 years ago and will remember her that way. We wish the whole family a lot of strength to get over the loss.