Erna was born on August 26, 1921, to Magdalena and Julius Ziebarth in Scranton, ND on the Fischer homestead. She went to Scranton public school and graduated in 1940. In 1944, Erna's high school sweetheart, Lawrence "Larry" Jarnecke, came home on leave from military service and they were married on October 26, 1944. Larry's job as an electrician took them to various places including Dickinson, ND, Marshall, MN, and Glendive, MT. In 1953, they settled in Newell, SD where Larry worked for Black Hills Power and Light. In 1977, she lost Larry in a work related accident. She moved to Belle Fourche until her health no longer allowed her to live alone. She came to Rapid City to an assisted living home where she could be closer to her daughter.

Erna was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, music, and doing word search puzzles. Her children remember coming home from school to the smell of fresh homemade bread and cinnamon rolls. Erna's heart was very tender in service to the Lord and helping others. Her life revolved around church and church functions. She had a dimpled smile that radiated the love of God to all she met. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Our loving mother, Erna, was welcomed in the arms of Jesus on October 1, 2014.

Erna is survived by two sons, Mark (Toni) Jarnecke, and Carl (Paula) Jarnecke; two daughters, Mary (Majid) Alsayegh, and Ruth (Verne) Henrickson; her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry; son, Lawrence William "Billy"; brothers, Denis and Carl; and sisters, Bernalda, Eugenie, and Zelda.

Friends and family are invited for a time of fellowship and refreshments at the Hart Ranch Chuckwagon Restaurant on Saturday, October 4, 2014, at 4:00pm.

A memorial has been established.

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