Clara Ernst (nee Iwasiuk) June 1, 1932 – January 18, 2023
We are saddened by the loss of sister, mother and grandmother Clara Ernst (nee Iwasiuk) who passed away peacefully at the age of 90 with her children by her side. She is survived by her brother Andrew, children Sherry (Lawrie) and Mark (Lisa), and grandchildren Shayla, Jessica, AJ, Matthew and Alexander.
Born in Vauxhall, Alberta, Clara completed her education degree at the University of Alberta and taught grades 3-9 in many communities across Canada including Calgary, Cold Lake, Ottawa, and Victoria. In her early career as a science teacher at CFB Borden, her classroom was full of hatching chicks, newborn gerbils and aquariums. Clara completed her master’s in education at the University of Victoriaand spent much of her career in the Victoria area elementary schools of Strawberry Vale, Doncaster, Hillcrest, Oaklands, and James Bay as a classroom teacher and librarian.
Clara had a lifelong interest in travel. She enjoyed many overseas trips to numerous countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the British Isles, Ukraine and Russia. Some of her favourite trips were in Canada with brother Andrew. She even climbed Mt. Fuji, and went on a night safari in South Africa.
Clara enjoyed many activities. She was a champion downhill skier in her early life in Alberta. She also enjoyed playing tennis and line dancing. Her garden delighted neighbours and she volunteered her time in the community including Santa’s Anonymous and the Ukrainian Cultural Centre where she enjoyed making perogies.
A graveside service will be held in Vauxhall, Alberta on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 1:00 pm where she will be laid to rest alongside her parents Stephan and Yohanna Iwasiuk. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Southland Funeral Chapel Ltd., 5006 – 48 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1R8. 403-223-8778.
Leave Condolence