Obituary
Erna Carol Schwabe
Erna Carol Schwabe, 72 died July 11, 2020 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born December 19,1947 in Excelsior, WI, the daughter of Eldon and Hazel Coppernoll.
Erna graduated from Ithaca High School, Class of 1966. She went to college at University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She lived in La Crosse, WI and meet and married the love of her life Arthur Joseph Schwabe. They were married for 44 years on July 17th.1976. They lived in Mt.Horeb, WI until 1988 and them moved to Ormond Beach, Fl and lived there for 28 years. Erna was very active in the American Legion Department of Florida. She held many different roles in the Auxiliary of American Legion. But her all time favorite job was helping veterans as the American Legion Auxiliary President for the state of Florida 2014-2015.
Erna is survived by her husband Arthur Schwabe, her three daughters, Mary( Dennis) Szafran, Marci, Trista, and Kobe Szafran, Denise(Brian))Green, Mike, Brandon, Stephanie, Alex, Zach, and Sam Green, and Jackie(Terry) Oelke and Jackie’s children Cassie, Kiara, Trevor and Trenton. And her sisters, Gladys Anderson, Boaz, WI, Rosetta Beilfuss, Boscobel, WI, Frances Strauss, Jefferson, WI, Marjorie Simerson, Huntington, IN, Dale(David) Clason, Black Earth, WI Thankful Santfleben, Mazomanie, WI , and her brother Kenneth(Connie)Coppernoll, Wedgefield, South Carolina. Her sister in law Jan Loomis, Waterford, WI and brother in law Raymond(Carol)Schwabe, Pewaukee, WI. She is serviced by many nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, friend and her legion family.
. In addition to her parents Erna was predeceased by her brothers Hilleman, Dick and Jerry Coppernoll. Her in laws Raymond and Doris Schwabe , her brother in law Dan Loomis and Alton Anderson.
A celebration of life will be help Sunday August 23rd. 2020 at the American Legion in Onalaska, WI at 12pm.
The family would like to thank Gundersen Hospital and the hospice team for their care and support for the last year.
For all she was the most important, was she was a great lady who care for all.
Erna will always be an angel to lean on. I will always remember my last conversation with her – she was so peppy & upbeat as always. Miss her dearly. R.I.P.
I went to grade school with Erna at Boaz Grade School and rode the bus with her. She wo. The school Spelling Bee and went on to be a finalist in the district competition. A beautiful gal!
you have your angel wings fly high take care of your brothers. love you sis your little sister chris anderson
Erna was an inspiration to me especially when she was Department of Florida President. She always was available to answer questions and led us to an amazing year under her leadership. Her lighthouse is burning bright in Heaven. May she rest in Peace
You will be missed my condolences to the family
So very sorry to hear this. She was a very kind and thoughtful lady… and a great Legion Auxilliary leader. My she rest in peace — as she should.
Rest in Peace Erna, You were a role model for all of us in the ALA. It was my pleasure to be guided by you during my years as a Unit Officer. Art, my sincere condolences to you and the family.
Fly high Erna. Soar with the angels and enjoy eternal life with our Lord. You will be missed and mourned by many. You were a great leader and mentor and a friend to many.
Florida missed you for awhile but now you are hovering around us and protecting us. Prayers are being said all over the state and now we our nation. God bless Art and your family. Thank God your pain is gone. We love you in District 17
Erna was full of life and a joy to be around. Not only was she my mentor, she made you feel like family. I’ve know her since 2007 when she came to unit 45 to install all the new officers from getting our charter back. From that day forward she was a blessing in my life. May God embrace all her family and comfort them during this sad time. RIP Erna we love you
Erna was a bright light for all that had the privilege of meeting her. She was the friendliest person but then again she was from Wisconsin the friend state.
My condolences to Art and his family. Erna will be greatly missed.
So Sorry to hear but know she’s in a better place, Have missed you since you left Ormond,
Erna will be missed by all of us in the American Legion Auxiliary in Florida. She was a loving mother and grandmother, as well as a great mentor. I will never forget her smile, and her positive attitude. She made everyone feel welcome. Rest peacefully, Erna, your journey has just begun.
Erna was an amazing and wonderful woman. I had the honor of being 9th district president when Erna was Department President 2014-2015. Erna you will be missed. The lighthouse in heaven will watch over you.
Our deepest condolence to you Art and your Family. Erna was a wonderful friend and Legion Family Member. RIP
So very sorry for your loss. My condolences to Art and the family.
Erna was a very special woman who constantly gave all. She was extremely influential in my life and the life of my daughter, Lisa Hoyland, from the beginning of our journies in the Florida ALA. She will always be a pillar in our lives.
Erna and Art were an incredible team, and she will be missed by her family and many friends across the country. Our prayers for Art and the Schwabe family are for comfort, and to remember all the wonderful memories of her life — worth celebrating many times over! She is missed by all who knew Erna, and the lives of so many she impacted as a result of her work, her passion and volunteerism.
Aunt Erna you were a special Aunt to me. You and Uncle art were so much fun to be around. You will missed by all. Don’t worry we will take Uncle Art fishing when it cools down. Uncle Art did a very pretty star for you for your she shed .You would love it. Condolences to all the family. Love you all.
Delbert and Darlene