Erna Emma, the daughter of Arthur and Bertha (Traetow) Bunger, was born December 12, 1919 in Fremont Township, Bremer County, Iowa.  She was baptized January 11, 1920 and confirmed March 25, 1934 at St. John Lutheran Church (Crane Creek), rural Tripoli, Iowa.  She attended Fremont Township School #2.  Erna was united in marriage with Alfred Blasberg on February 21, 1939 at St. John Lutheran Church (Crane Creek).  Erna and Alfred farmed in the Tripoli area for many years.

Erna’s death occurred Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at the Tripoli Nursing Home in Tripoli, from natural causes.  She was ninety years old.  Erna was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church (Crane Creek) and the WELCA.  She enjoyed quilting, gardening, drawing, cooking, baking, and spending time with her family.

Erna is survived by four children, Marian (Larry) Noack of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Donald (Kathy) Blasberg of Tripoli; Gladys (Jim) Lohmann of Sumner, Iowa; and Duane (special friend, Jean Gienau) Blasberg of Tripoli; eleven grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; and one sister, Agnes Schlichting of Cedar Falls.

Erna was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred, who died in 2003, one infant granddaughter, and two infant brothers.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 8, 2010, at St. John Lutheran Church (Crane Creek), rural Tripoli with Rev. Dale Halverson officiating. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 7, 2010, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Friday. Internment will be at the church cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church (Crane Creek) or to the Tripoli Nursing Home.