Erna H. Truemper, age 106 years, 11 months, and 11 days, of Elgin, IL, and formerly of Aurora, IL and Winter Haven, FL, passed away on October 15, 2022.  She was born November 4, 1915 in Aurora, IL to her loving parents, John and Katherine (née Numrich) Stallman.

Erna grew up in Aurora, IL, attending St. Paul's Lutheran School and graduating from East High School, Class of 1934.  She worked as a church secretary for St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aurora.

Erna met her husband, George, at the Walther League high school youth group at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.  They wed on July 17, 1936, and were married for 53 years.

Erna was a happy person with a wonderful sense of humor.  Her Christian faith was very important to her, affecting all aspects of her life.  She was always conscious of treating others as she wanted to be treated.

Erna enjoyed flower arranging and drawing.  She loved to travel with her husband and liked watching travelogues and reading travel articles.  She also enjoyed reading theological books, articles, and sermons, especially those written by her son, David.

Erna was blessed to be able to attend all four of her grandchildren's weddings; two at Valparaiso University, one in California, and the final one in Germany when she was 92 years old!

Erna had an amazing memory, reciting poems from her childhood, and many Scripture verses.  She recited "Twas the Night Before Christmas" from memory to her fellow nursing home residents last December at age 106.  And just a few days before her death, she was still able to correctly recite the 23rd Psalm.

Erna was preceded in death by her husband, George Truemper; son, David Truemper; parents, John and Katherine Stallman; sister, Esther Cromer; and brothers, Carl Stallman and Henry Stallman.  She is survived by her daughter, Janet (Bernie) Zimdahl; daughter-in-law, Joanna Truemper; grandchildren, Pam (Chris) Werling, Rebekah (Dan Seltzer) Truemper, Kristin (Josef) Brunschmid, and Sven (Stephanie) Zimdahl; great-grandchildren, Zach and Cayla Werling, Sidonie Seltzer, Xaver and Jakob Brunschmid, and Chase and Colin Zimdahl; and many nieces and nephews she held dear.

Visitation will be 10:00am until funeral service at 11:00am, Monday, October 31, 2022 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 115 N. Spring Street, Elgin, IL 60120.  Pastor Clifford Frederich will be officiating.

Interment to follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, 1400 Douglas Road, Montgomery, IL 60538.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Erna's name to Apostolic Christian Highland Oaks, 2750 W. Highland Avenue, Elgin, IL 60124, or St. John's Lutheran Church, 101 N. Spring Street, Elgin, IL 60120.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home.  For more information, call 847-741-1128 or visit www.symondsmadison.com.