Erna Mettke Besler was a loving wife, mother, Oma and Tante. She left this world on December 24, 2022 at the age of 89. She was born to Mathias and Emilie Buchwitz on June 17, 1933 in Kurudschika, Bessarabia (Romania). In 1940 all of the German settlers in Bessarabia were relocated back to Germany and she settled in a refugee camp near Danzig, Germany (now Gdansk, Poland). She eventually ended up living in Celle, Germany and immigrated to the Iowa, United States in 1951. After a year there, she settled eventually in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Erna retired from the Lawson’s Milk Company after more 20 years.
Erna loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals and goodies for her family and friends. Her love of flowers and her garden was epic. She was always everyone’s biggest supporter, influencer and role model. She was an amazing human being and we all learned so many life lessons from her. The world is definitely a better place because she left her mark on it as strong woman.
Her son Gary Mettke preceded her death in 1998.
She leaves behind her husband, Arthur Besler, son’s Karl (Sally) Mettke and Richard Mettke and daughter Karoline (David) Bolin. Step Son’s Richard (Beverley) Besler and Robert (Maureen) Besler. Former daughter –in- law Lisa Mettke. She also had 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren that loved her.
She leaves many family members in Germany.
Service will be held 14 Jan, 2023 at Bethany English Lutheran Church at 1100am.
15460 Triskett Rd, Cleveland Ohio 44111.
Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Salvation Army.
The family requests that no flowers be sent, thank you.
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