Bernetta V. "Bea" Erb

Bernetta Violet Erb was born on December 28, 1922 to Christian L. & Lydia (Rediger) Zehr on the family farm near Shickley, Nebraska. She died on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 at Heritage Crossings Nursing Home in Geneva, Nebraska at the age of 102 years, 3 months and 23 days. Bernetta accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and was baptized at Salem Mennonite Church, rural Shickley, Nebraska. Bernetta was the oldest of 2 children in the family. Bernetta graduated from Shickley High School and then attended Hastings College, obtaining a teaching certificate. On February 22, 1949, Bernetta was united in marriage to Merlin Erb. The next ten years, they worked together on the family farm. In 1959, Merlin & Bernetta purchased the Thornton Lumber & Coal business and moved into Shickley. They operated the business until 1988, when the business was sold to employees, Wes & Linda Hochstetler. Bernetta had a strong belief in the mission of the church as was evidenced in her retirement years. Merlin & Bernetta spent many years traveling and volunteering with Mennonite Disaster Service, Habitat for Humanity, and Mennonite Voluntary Service. Bernetta’s last selfless act of kindness was the decision to donate her body to the State Anatomical Board to be used in medical education and scientific research. Bernetta was preceded in death by her parents, Christian & Lydia; husband, Merlin Erb; brother, Dellas Zehr; sister, Eunice (Norris) Sintek; half sister-in-law Elsie Heyen; sisters-in-law Mary Erb, Mattie (Roy) Troyer, Dorothy Oswald, Gladys (Lester) Troyer, and Wilma (Ivan) Troyer; brothers-in-law, Robert (Mary) Erb, Alvin Erb and Virgil Erb. She is survived by her sisters-in-law Norma Troyer, Ruth Erb, Arlyce Friesen; brother-in-law, Sam Oswald; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A Memorial Service for Bernetta was held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Mennonite Church, rural Shickley, Nebraska. Pastor Ben Schlegel presided over the Memorial Service. Roxie Schlegel was the accompanist and she accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow.” Honorary pallbearers included all of Bernetta’s nieces and nephews. There will be a private committal of ashes at a later date at the Salem Mennonite Cemetery, rural Shickley, Nebraska. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the Salem Mennonite Church.

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Bernetta V. "Bea" Erb

December 28, 1922 - April 20, 2025