Obituary of Erma Horst

HORST, Erma (nee Snyder) ~ Erma Horst of Waterloo (formerly St. Jacobs) passed away on Thursday, July 14, 2016, in her 93rd year. Predeceased by her parents Edwin and Leah Snyder, her loving husband Cleason (2004), daughter Marcia Jean (1959), and her daughter-in-law Francine de Bellefeuille (2012). Survived by her sons and their partners, Roger (Erica van der Linden) of Toronto, Richard (Joanne Nixon) of Port Perry, Darrell (Tamara Roberts) of North Vancouver, and Marlin (Margot Currie) of Toronto. She is also survived by her two grandsons David and Edward of Toronto and Joanne's daughters Sophie and Isla. She is survived by her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Mabel (Lewis) Sauder, Beatrice Snyder, Rita Horst, Nelson and Helen Horst, and Lena and Ken Nafziger. She is predeceased by her sister, brothers, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law, Cleason (Myrtle) Snyder, Nelson (Vera and Dorothy) Snyder, Roy (Clara) Snyder, Minerva (Roy) Brubacher, Orville Snyder, Joseph Snyder, Tillman (Vera and Lucinda) Horst, Martin (Wilma) Horst, Hettie (Orville) Shoemaker, Selina Horst, Mary (Orville) Bechtel, and Levi Horst. Sadly missed by her many nieces and nephews. Visitation from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. Service of Worship and Remembrance on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church, 1310 King St. N., St. Jacobs. Interment in St. Jacobs Mennonite Cemetery followed by fellowship and refreshments in the church hall. Donations may be made in Erma's memory to the Mennonite Central Committee. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In Loving Memory of Erma Horst: Erma Horst (nee Snyder) was born on June 20, 1924, at Oak Shade Farm, a prosperous dairy farm in North Waterloo. When she died on July 14, 2016, she was the last survivor of the seven children of Edwin and Leah Snyder. She was always close to her sister, Minerva, and to her brothers, and especially to her younger brothers, Orville and Joe. She attended a one room school, Martin’s, which was a one mile walk down the town line from Oak Shade. She was an eager student who would always love reading. She grew up during the Depression and the Second World War. She always remembered the glorious celebrations in Waterloo at the end of the war. She lived and worked at Oak Shade until she married Cleason Horst on June 24, 1950, and moved to St. Jacobs. She raised four boys, Roger, Richard, Darrell, and Marlin, who all graduated from university, and, tragically, lost her daughter, Marcia, in infancy. It was a very active family and Erma’s house was always the centre of the neighbourhood with a great deal of shouting, laughing, and crying over the scraps and bruises of youth. In the summer, Sunday afternoons were often spent on Conestoga Lake, boating and skiing, although Erma much preferred the boating. The family travelled everywhere, including a memorable trip in 1965 to the west coast along the newly completed Trans-Canada Highway. She loved her friends, of whom she had many, and she loved visiting and receiving visitors. At her Open House at Fairview for her 90th Birthday, we were thrilled to see a great number of people turned up which made us all very happy! She was a Sunday school teacher, a weaver, a wonderful baker. She loved games and excelled at Scrabble. Her sons never learned how to beat her! She worked on puzzles every day right to the end. Throughout their life, Cleason and Erma travelled extensively in North American and Europe, and for many years their winters included a few weeks in Florida. They loved Key West. In retirement, they travelled all over North America, from Alaska to San Diego, usually in their motor home. She visited New Orleans three times. In recent years, she liked to go out with the family to good restaurants, and she especially enjoyed Langdon Hall, where she celebrated her 92nd birthday. She liked to go for long drives through the countryside and had many stories about the people and places of Waterloo County. She was grateful for and loved her two grandsons, David and Ted, as we all do. Her friends and family will miss her deeply. Service Summary Visitation: 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at the funeral home ~ Funeral Service: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church, 1310 King St. N., St. Jacobs ~ Interment: St. Jacobs Mennonite Cemetery followed by reception ~ Donations: Mennonite Central Committee (50 Kent Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1, www.mcccanada.ca, 1-800-313-6226)