Erna Sagan

ERNA SAGAN

Erna Sagan, age 88, of Winona, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at Sauer Healthcare in Winona.

She was born on March 24, 1928, in Linz, Austria, to Johann and Maria (Ruber) Gintenstorfer.  She was united in marriage with John Sagan on April 30, 1949, in Linz.  John preceded her in death on August 27, 1998.

John left for the United States in 1949, settling in Winona, and Erna followed with their children in 1951.  Erna was employed with the Leicht Press, a national weekly German newspaper, and then as an accounts payable clerk for United Building Centers in Winona, from where she retired in 1994.

She was a member of the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.

Erna was a strong and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who never missed a thing.  She was always ready to help her children and worked hard for every birthday, holiday, and family celebration.  She loved knitting, and was a wonderful gardener.  Erna was proud of her Austrian roots and loved Austria and anything Austrian - especially its folk songs and movies - and she tried to visit as often as she could.  In the 1990s, Erna took her husband John to Moscow, the Ukraine, and Tasmania to visit family that he had not seen in over 50 years.  Her strong and loving presence will be missed by those who knew and loved her, and most especially by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Erna is lovingly survived by her children:  Edward (Carol) Sagan, John Sagan, Jr., Guenther (Brenda) Sagan, Neil Sagan, and Francis Sagan; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM, on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.  The Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Hargesheimer will officiate.

Erna will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka, on Thursday, June 30, 2016, from 9 AM until the time of the Mass.

Pallbearers will be Erna’s grandsons.

Memorials may be directed to the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Erna’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com