Hirlande Marie (Schmitt) Erker 79, of DeKalb died Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at Kishwaukee Hospital, DeKalb. She was born December 30, 1934 in Muehlhausen-Rettigheim, Germany to Bernhard and Amalia Schmitt. She attended school in Heidelberg were she became a professional seamstress before she boarded the Queen Elizabeth on Dec 5, 1951 for the United States and lived in Indiana with her aunt and uncle. Here she met and married Horst Fritz Erker on November 8, 1958 and they moved to Illinois and eventually moved and settled in DeKalb in 1967 where she resided as a wife, mother and homemaker until her death.

Hirlande was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb, she volunteered and taught sewing at the local 4H, belonged and was an officer of the local DANK Club, bowled on a women?s league until no longer physically able and enjoyed gardening. Her flowers were admired by many as they passed by their home on Gifford. She enjoyed traveling and made many return visits back to her homeland of Germany with her husband and children over the years.

Survivors include; husband, Horst Fritz Erker of DeKalb, two daughters: Ramona (Louis) Triebold of Mundelein, IL and Karen Hoffman of Pingree Grove, IL, and son: John Erker of DeKalb, IL grandchildren: Michael, Justin, Tyler, Ryan, Brandon, Garrett, Brittany, Carly, Colby and Taylor; great grandchildren: Corben, Giovanni and Cayden; three brothers: Heinrich, Johann and Paul Schmitt. Hirlande is preceded in death by her parents, and her son, Paul Erker and several aunts and uncles.

Funeral Mass will be held on Monday August 25, 2014 at 10:30am at St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb with Father Bonaventure Okoro officiating. Burial will take place immediately following the Mass at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 24, 2014 from 4:00pm-6:00pm with a wake service at 5:45pm at Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers Memorials can be made to the family to be established at a later date. To send an online condolence visit: www.ronanmoorefinch.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.

Service:
Monday August 25, 2014

10:30am

St. Mary Catholic Church
Visitation:
Sunday, August 24, 2014

4:00pm-6:00pm

Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home