Ernestine "Erna" Bratvold

Ernestine "Erna" Bratvold, 85, of Northwood, ND passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northwood. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Ernestine Pichler Bratvold was born December 23, 1930 in Kramsach, Tirol, Austria. In 1954/55, she met and married Sgt. Elmer V. Bratvold of Hatton, ND in Salzburg, Austria.

Erna came to America and Hatton, ND in the summer of 1958, preceded by Elmer and son Peter. Erna and son, Peter became U.S. Citizens in 1962, after Elmer had reentered the U.S. Army. When Elmer retired from the Army (20+ years), they settled in Northwood and bought a home there, keeping them close to Elmer's parents, Emil and Agnes Bratvold.

Erna worked at the Northwood Deaconess Hospital from 1971 - 1993 as a CNA, before retiring.

Erna will be lovingly remembered for her knitting and crocheting skills, which she generously shared.

Erna's parents and sisters, including a twin sister in Switzerland preceded her in death, along with Elmer and grandson, Jason Bratvold. She kept in touch with cousins in Austria through the years.

She is survived by her son, Peter; granddaughter, Andrea (John) Bratvold of Antelope, CA and three great-grandchildren: Dillon, Aaron and Neala; Phylaine Peterson (Andrea's Mom) of Monterey, CA (formerly of Petersburg, ND), whom Erna always recognized as her daughter.

Her biggest joy in her life were her grandchildren, Jason and Andrea.