Erna Janczak

Erna Schlottmann Spinn Janczak was born on January 2, 1914, the daughter of Charlie and Emma Struwe Schlottmann. Prairie Hill played a big part in her life. She was born, raised and attended school in Prairie Hill along with her sister, Ida Strangmeyer, and her brothers, Willie W. and Herbert Schlottmann. She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. John Lutheran Church at Prairie Hill. Rev. Appfelbach baptized her on February 21, 1914; she was confirmed by Rev. Gogolin on April 21, 1929 and later married by him on November 8, 1936 to Victor Stephen Spinn. To this union, a son was born. Following Erna''s marriage, she moved to Brenham and lived in the same house over 65 years. She attended St. Paul''s Lutheran Church and was a member of the Senior Choir and the ELCA Women''s Circle for many years. She attended Blinn College and was a member of Brenham''s German Club. Following the death of her first husband, she worked for Germania Farm Mutual Insurance for 30 years, retiring in 1984. In her 94 years, she saw many changes in her life and in her community. Erna passed away at Trinity Medical Center on Monday, March 17, 2008. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, three brothers, and two husbands. She is survived by her son, Victor Charles Spinn and wife, Ellen of Brenham; grandson Stephen Claude Spinn and wife Cachele of Austin; granddaughter Karen Spinn Richards of Brenham; grandson Colten Wade Smith and wife, Elizabeth of Austin, great granddaughters, Michele and Megan Spinn of Austin and great grandson, Harrison Smith of Austin. Erna is also survived by her nieces, Carol Ann McClendon of San Antonio and Delores Fay Kokemor and her husband, Roland of Brenham; and her nephew Charles Allen Schlottman and his wife, Connie of Brenham. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham with Pastor Lawrence Bade presiding at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 21, 2008. Interment will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 6 – 8 pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Stephen Spinn and Colten Wade Smith, nephews Charles Allen Schlottmann and Roland Kokemor, great nephews Glenn Earl Kokemor and Clay Charles Schlottman. Serving as Honorary Pallbearer is great nephew Ty Connor Schlottmann. Memorials may be given to St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church Radio Ministry.