March 16, 1938 – Jan. 15, 2023

Erna Quiram was born at home March 16, 1938 in Weinert to Henry and Meta Rueffer. Erna lost her hearing at the age of six as a result of Scarlet fever. She attended the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin. In preparation for entering the workforce, Erna also received special office training from Nixon-Clay College in Austin.

Erna met her husband, Helmut Quiram, Jr., at a deaf camp in LaGrange. They married Dec. 31, 1964.

Together the couple raised seven children in Duncanville.

She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. For many years Erna was the music leader for the deaf congregation of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church John Beverly Chapel in Dallas.

She enjoyed spending time with her family, sewing, crocheting, games, word puzzles and jigsaw puzzles. She never missed Wheel of Fortune or Let’s Make A Deal!

Erna was a strong, Christian woman who leaned on her faith in both good and bad times. Gratefully, she was a 40+ year survivor of multiple cancers and other serious health conditions. Her health began to decline about ten years ago and six years ago she moved to Breckenridge, TX to live with her daughter, Karla, and her family. While her daily life became more difficult, she always had a smile.

She was born into eternal life Sunday, Jan. 15. Preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Meta Rueffer; husband, Helmut Quiram, Jr.; son, Gary Ewing; brother, Carl Rueffer; great-grandson, Gaelan Fletcher; and daughter, Linda Daniels.

Survived by one brother, Melvin (Ruby) Rueffer; one sister, Verlene (Richard) Whiteley; two sisters-in-law, Nathalie Smith and Dolores Reed; five children, Taffy (Mark) Patison, Tammy (Jerry) Steward, Tony (Teri) Quiram, Dorothy (Clyde) Mollins, and Karla (John) Brower; 12 grandchildren, Nelson (Karen) Kieffer, Mindy (Mark) Corson, Liana (Jerry) Martinez, Brian (Haidy) Mairet, Matthew (Dominique) Mairet, Laura (Elliott) Reich, Bryce Leigh, Brandi (Leon) Mata, Olivia Mollins, Karlissa (Jeremy) Fletcher, Krista (Brent) Knight, and Kaleb Brower; 18 great-grandchildren, Trey, Michael, Jessie, Alyssa, Andre, Emily, Thanos, Wynter, William, Charm, Joseph, Evolet, Atreus, Brianna, Braxton, Gentry, Silas, and Natalee; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at Necessity Baptist Church. Memorials to Pleasant Valley Cemetery (Rueffer family cemetery), Woody Frazier, 940-864-2423 or 940-864-3663; or Necessity Baptist Church, 7150 CR 144, Caddo, TX 76429.

A Mother’s love is something that no one can explain, It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain, It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may, For nothing can destroy it or take that love away.

By Helen Steiner Rice