Erna Heather Stevens

Erna Heather (Bracher) Stevens
Erna Stevens passed away on June 28, 2011 at Oakwood Village East in Madison, WI at the age of 93. She lived a full life that took her halfway around the world from her birth and childhood. Erna was born, the third of five children, to Victor and Ivy Bracher on November 12, 1917 in Geelong, a town near Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. She was intensely proud of her Australian heritage, remaining a citizen of that country for her entire life and actively seeking out other Aussies wherever she lived. Erna grew up in Melbourne, leaving school to begin work at the age of 15. The World War II years led her to Sydney, where she met American serviceman Howard Stevens. They married in Melbourne in 1944 and in 1946 she emigrated on a war bride ship to the USA to join her husband and begin a new life. She lived the rest of her life in this country, for 31 years in Clarence, NY (near Buffalo), 9 years of retirement with her husband in South Dennis on Cape Cod, MA and , since 1988, in Madison, WI, where she moved to be near her son, his wife and her much adored granddaughters.
In addition to her life as a wife and mother, she worked at a variety of jobs including stints at the Western NY United Methodist Church Conference Office and as the secretary for the Clarence United Methodist Church. An avid tennis player in her youth, she took up and enjoyed golf later in life. She continued to be an avid walker into her '90s. Always a prolific knitter and seamstress, she eventually turned her energies toward quilting, which proved to be the activity she loved the most and at which she excelled. Over a period of 25 years she created well over 100 beautiful quilts and pillows, each stitched lovingly by hand. Her quilting artistry remains a lasting legacy for her family and many friends.
Erna is survived by her son, John (Meg), granddaughters, Katherine (Griffin) James and Abby Stevens, great grandsons Canon and Reed James, her sister Jean Best and many family and friends in Australia. The family wishes to express their thanks to all of Erna's friends, and especially to the administration and staff of Tabor Oaks at Oakwood Village West and The Knoll at Oakwood Village East for making the last years of Erna's life as fulfilling as possible for her. On Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 3:00 p. m. John and Meg Stevens will host a ""Gathering of Remembrance"" at their home. Contributions in Erna's memory may be made to the Continuing Care Fund of the Oakwood Foundation, 6165 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705.