Obituary for Erna May Reuther
Erna May Reuther
August 12, 1949 – May 5, 2021
(Additional content added from Calgary Herald obit)
Erna was a beautiful soul and a one-of-a-kind person. She had a zest for life and lived it with passion in everything that she did and left lasting and wonderful memories with everyone who was lucky enough to know her.
Erna was a talented painter and decorator and an artist that, from the time she was about eight, could draw good renditions of horses, and did, on any piece of paper within sight. She later also drew her favourite subject, elk, and was also a sculptor in clay.
Erna was an excellent cook, and a true outdoors woman. When she was a young girl and into her early teens, she used to ride horses at the Twin Bridges Riding Academy west of Calgary, and had her own horse (and later several others). Erna also rode as part of the Twin Bridges entry into the Calgary Stampede, and could even break-in some cantankerous steeds that other cowboys couldn’t, or wouldn’t! No horse was too tough for her.
She was an accomplished fisher and fly fisher, and most of all an elk hunter. Elk hunting was her true passion! She was involved in the Windermere Valley Fish & Game Club, and went on to learn to hand-load her own shells. Erna believed that to hunt an animal was a privilege, and had the greatest respect for the animals that she hunted. She did everything that was involved once she had taken an animal, from field to table. Many times she took her elk out of the bush single-handedly, which given her 5’4” frame was quite something. She proved she was as capable, and often more so, than any of her male hunting counterparts. She earned the nickname “Ernie Oakley” for her crack shooting with her .270 rifle.
Erna was also an accomplished writer, and her hunting stories have been chronicled in many issues of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s prestigious “Bugle” magazine. She was also published in the “Alberta Outdoorsmen” magazines. Her story “Wild Blood” (under her then-married name Erna Fillatre) was featured in the book on women hunters in North America entitled “The Thrill of the CHASE” by Kathy Etling and Susan Campbell Reneau published in 2004 by Safari Press in California, USA.
Erna loved her family, and will always be in our hearts and with us spiritually.
Erna’s family are: her brother, Ed (&Diana) Reuther; nephews Brent (& Whitney Palmer) Reuther; Eric (& Jessica and daughter Avery) Reuther; Janice, Ken, Adrienne, Michael (& Jesse Goose) Waunch; Linda & Danielle Andrade (& Andrew Epps); Darrell (& Janet & son Levi) Newediuk; ex-husband Terry Fillatre (& Susy) of Windermere, as well as family in Europe and “ohana” in Maui, and many other places.
Erna passed in the way that she wanted, in control, and surrounded by many of her immediate family. As per Erna’s wishes, no public service will be held, and cremation will take place. A private family service will be held at a later date.
We wish to sincerely thank the ALS Care Team and the MAID Care Team at the South Health Campus, and especially Leon, Kenneth, Paula and Dr. Jane Clarkson who showed Erna, and all of us, so much compassion, guidance and understanding through Erna’s journey with ALS.
In remembrance of Erna, she would like it if you would take a walk in the woods, smell the fresh air, enjoy your loved ones, and think fondly of her. If you so desire, we ask that you consider a contribution to the ALS Society of Alberta (ALS Society of Alberta (alsab.ca), donate to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, or plant a tree in Erna’s honour.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Erna, visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
August 12, 1949 – May 5, 2021
(Additional content added from Calgary Herald obit)
Erna was a beautiful soul and a one-of-a-kind person. She had a zest for life and lived it with passion in everything that she did and left lasting and wonderful memories with everyone who was lucky enough to know her.
Erna was a talented painter and decorator and an artist that, from the time she was about eight, could draw good renditions of horses, and did, on any piece of paper within sight. She later also drew her favourite subject, elk, and was also a sculptor in clay.
Erna was an excellent cook, and a true outdoors woman. When she was a young girl and into her early teens, she used to ride horses at the Twin Bridges Riding Academy west of Calgary, and had her own horse (and later several others). Erna also rode as part of the Twin Bridges entry into the Calgary Stampede, and could even break-in some cantankerous steeds that other cowboys couldn’t, or wouldn’t! No horse was too tough for her.
She was an accomplished fisher and fly fisher, and most of all an elk hunter. Elk hunting was her true passion! She was involved in the Windermere Valley Fish & Game Club, and went on to learn to hand-load her own shells. Erna believed that to hunt an animal was a privilege, and had the greatest respect for the animals that she hunted. She did everything that was involved once she had taken an animal, from field to table. Many times she took her elk out of the bush single-handedly, which given her 5’4” frame was quite something. She proved she was as capable, and often more so, than any of her male hunting counterparts. She earned the nickname “Ernie Oakley” for her crack shooting with her .270 rifle.
Erna was also an accomplished writer, and her hunting stories have been chronicled in many issues of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s prestigious “Bugle” magazine. She was also published in the “Alberta Outdoorsmen” magazines. Her story “Wild Blood” (under her then-married name Erna Fillatre) was featured in the book on women hunters in North America entitled “The Thrill of the CHASE” by Kathy Etling and Susan Campbell Reneau published in 2004 by Safari Press in California, USA.
Erna loved her family, and will always be in our hearts and with us spiritually.
Erna’s family are: her brother, Ed (&Diana) Reuther; nephews Brent (& Whitney Palmer) Reuther; Eric (& Jessica and daughter Avery) Reuther; Janice, Ken, Adrienne, Michael (& Jesse Goose) Waunch; Linda & Danielle Andrade (& Andrew Epps); Darrell (& Janet & son Levi) Newediuk; ex-husband Terry Fillatre (& Susy) of Windermere, as well as family in Europe and “ohana” in Maui, and many other places.
Erna passed in the way that she wanted, in control, and surrounded by many of her immediate family. As per Erna’s wishes, no public service will be held, and cremation will take place. A private family service will be held at a later date.
We wish to sincerely thank the ALS Care Team and the MAID Care Team at the South Health Campus, and especially Leon, Kenneth, Paula and Dr. Jane Clarkson who showed Erna, and all of us, so much compassion, guidance and understanding through Erna’s journey with ALS.
In remembrance of Erna, she would like it if you would take a walk in the woods, smell the fresh air, enjoy your loved ones, and think fondly of her. If you so desire, we ask that you consider a contribution to the ALS Society of Alberta (ALS Society of Alberta (alsab.ca), donate to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, or plant a tree in Erna’s honour.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Erna, visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.