Viola Florence Erb, born July 2, 1934, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at her residence in Baden, Ontario.
Viola was born in Duchess Alberta to a family of all girls including her twin sister Violet. As the girls came of age each of them set out across the country for further education and Viola chose the Ontario Mennonite Bible School and Institute in Kitchener. It was there, singing in a trio she caught the eye of her future husband Vernon who was the President of the Fireside Youth Group. Given Vernon’s position of President of the youth group, Viola accepted a ride home and by the end of the year they were married. While Vernon had the vision for his trucking ambitions, Viola was the driving force behind achieving their goals. In the early days, Viola was the dispatcher, bookkeeper and payroll when Vernon was out on the road. She tried to retire on 1980, but that was short lived. Viola always balanced every ledger to the last penny, it took a few years for her to feel comfortable knowing the company was in good hands without her there every day. In the mid nineties Viola coined the slogan Another Cool Move which has been on every Erb trailer since then. Another Cool Move has become as memorable as the company she co-founded with Vernon in 1959.
Viola’s retirement was full time quilting and gardening. While gardening was more of a challenge in the last years, Quilting and knitting never let up. Sewing machines and ironing boards were permanent fixtures in the family room. Everything was donated or given away to less fortunate. For many years their annual winter trip to Florida would be postponed with Viola citing her commitments at church as the reason not to leave just yet. Her faith in the Lord was a guiding principle in her life.
Cherished and loving mother of Karen Erb (Donald Davidson), Wendell Erb (Cheryl) and Darryl Erb (Rhonda). Viola was a devoted and proud grandmother to Justin Buhr (Jamie Mackay), Lindsey Ng (Gabriel). Kyle Erb (Anne), Katie Harris (Ted), Tyler Erb (Sophia), Emma Erb, and Cameron Kiecman. Great-grandmother of Annycka, Beau, Cameron, Claire, Ailie and Kelly. Viola will be missed by her sisters Grace Torkleson, Mabel and husband Walter Paetkau and Violet and husband Titus Beam, by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Erma Bisset and Marjorie Erb (Stanley Herrfort). Predeceased and now reunited with her beloved husband Vernon Erb who passed away on May 20, 2020, her parents, William and Elizabeth Lauver, granddaughter Nicole Kiecman, sister Gladys Martin and her husband Harvey, brothers in law and sisters in law Ken Torkleson, Vera Koehler and husband Fred, Edmund Erb and Craig Bisset
Relatives and friends are invited to the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron Street, on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 1 – 5 p.m. and again on Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 1 – 5 p.m. the funeral service will take place on Monday, October 3, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Steinmann Mennonite Church, 1316 Snyder’s Road West, Baden. Interment to follow at the adjoining church cemetery. The funeral service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.
Expressions of sympathy and in lieu of flowers donations would be accepted to Steinmann Mennonite Church or Isaiah Projects and can be done through the funeral home website.
Personal condolences and donation information available at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca
