ERIKA F. SCHIFF

Erika F. Schiff, 84 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. C.F. Wilhelm will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, July 25th from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Music will be provided by Lynne Webster and JoDee Lagein. Reading the Scriptures will be Linda Culmer and Gift Bearers will be members of Erika’s family. Casket Bearers will be friends and family of Erika. Erika Frieda, daughter of Bruno and Frieda (Meussling) Rickman was born on August 24, 1928 at Osternothafen, Germany. She lived for a time in Germany, then moved with her parents to Canada, where she was reared and educated. She married Mr. Bruntjen and they were the proud parents of a daughter, Berith. After the death of Mr. Bruntjen, Erika moved to North Dakota and met her future husband, Peter B. Schiff and they were united in marriage on May 22, 1970 at Crookston, MN. They lived at the family farm for a few years and moved into Devils Lake where they made their home through the years. They both remained very active, caring for the yard, gardening and doing their household chores. Peter died on April 24, 2007. Erika continued to make Devils Lake her home until her death. She made her profession of faith to the Catholic Church on February 28, 1970 and was confirmed by Monsignor Allen Nilles at St. Joseph Catholic Church on April 21, 1970. She continued membership with St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Altar Society. Erika believed in patriotism. She was a citizen of Germany at her birth, became a citizen of Canada in 1965 and declared citizenship to the United States of America in 1976, the year of the American Revolution Bicentennial. For the past few months, Erika has been a resident of the Good Samaritan Center where she made many new friends among the staff and other residents. She will be truly missed by them and the members of her beloved family. Erika is survived by her daughter, Berith Clark of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Dustin, Mac, Danielle and Samantha and several great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and their families also survive.