Erna Pieper

Erna H. Dannhaus Pieper, widow of Bennie Pieper, passed away March 9, 2014 at her residence. Mrs. Pieper was born January 6, 1921 to Emma Koester and Theodore Dannhaus. She was baptized April 17, 1921 in St. James Lutheran Church of New Wehdem, where she was also confirmed on April 5, 1936. She attended Pleasant Hill School in Washington County. On May 16, 1942 she was married to Bennie B. Pieper at St. James Lutheran Church of New Wehdem by Rev. H. T. Flachmeier. She was a member of Salem Evangelical Church of Salem. Mrs. Pieper and her husband Bennie operated Pieper Garage for many years. She enjoyed working in her garden and helping her husband in the garage. Fishing and hunting were also favorite pastimes. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law: Bobie and Nina Pieper, Lloyd and Diane Pieper; son-in-law Homer Burran; grandchildren and spouses: Steven and Robin Higgins, Tracy Pieper and Bill Danes, Dale and Corinne Pieper, Melanie Pieper and Donny Roberts, and Matt and Amy Pieper; fifteen great-grandchildren, whom she cherished: Jim, Blake, Rusty, and Jeffery Higgins, Samantha and Hannah Danes, Ashlyn and Lacey Pieper, Broc Bosse, Kate Roberts, Sarah Beth Roberts and Stackley McConnell, Elizabeth Hegar, Hunter and Hayden Pieper, and Cole Orosco. Also surviving are two great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her caregivers Sharon Johnson, Amber Wooten and Bonnie Franke. Not to be forgotten is her dog Christy, who will miss her dearly. Mrs. Pieper is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 67 years, Bennie; daughter, Betty Burran; grandson, Craig Higgins; sister, Norma Pieper and brother-in-law Alfred Pieper; brother, Melvin Dannhaus and sister-in-law, Manola Dannhaus; brother Arthur Dannhaus; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Willie and Ella Pieper, Erwin and Billie Pieper, Hattie and Herbert Pieper; sisters-in-law Nelda Pieper, Ella Mae Pieper, Clare Ware and husband Clinton. Funeral services for Erna Pieper will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Salem with Pastors Charles Parnell and Toby Burk officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Visitation with family and friends will take place Wednesday evening, March 12, from 6 until 8 p.m. Serving as pallbearers will be Larry Pieper, Lynn Pieper, Gary Dannhaus, Matt Pieper, Steve Higgins, and Dale Pieper. Honorary pallbearers are Berry Lee and Paulette Malkey, Carroll "Butch" and Betsy Faske, and Nancy Rosenbaum. Memorials may be directed to Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brenham, or Hospice Brazos Valley. Funeral arrangements for Erna H. Pieper are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To view the obituary online or post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.