Born January 20, 1938, in Vienna Austria, Erika Grabner was the second eldest of five siblings. Born during world war ll the year Hitler entered Vienna, Erika spent her first years in a war-torn environment, rattled by air raid sirens and subsequent bombings. This is where her strength and fortitude began. After experiencing the war and its impact on her birthplace, at 16 she and her family left Europe. Little did she know that she would migrate to two more continents before finding her home.
After 5 weeks at sea crossing the equator, they arrived in Australia. In 1957, she had her son Frankie with her first husband. After parting ways, Frankie remained in Australia to grow up with his father. In his adult life, Frankie married a lovely girl named Julie and they have three children and a grandson. In 1965 Erika married Fred Warner, who had migrated from Germany a few years prior. Together they became naturalized Australian citizens and brought their daughter Angelique into the world.
Ambitious for a fresh start, Erika and Fred felt that God was leading them to America. Canada as part of the commonwealth, made migration easier. They arrived in Canada with their five-year-old daughter in 1971. Shortly thereafter, they made it to America. After a couple years in Bellingham and several more moves, they settled in their Lynnwood home where they remained for 22 years.
Here they raised Angelique into her young adult years. Fred built a successful automotive business and recycling center with Erika. This is also when Erika discovered her love for writing. She wrote of events in her childhood that were published in the paper. She later went on to write about the rapture. But it was not until after Fred’s passing in 1993, that she started writing poetry. It was her way of expressing herself and her life experiences. She was published in eight books from 1996 to 2003.
She loved creating a home for her family. She had a passion for gardening both flowers and vegetables. Her appreciation for roses came a few years later when she built a new home for herself. This is where She created her little rose garden . Joining the American Rose Society brought a new joy showing off flowers from her beautiful rose garden. She took great pride in her Blue Ribbons.
She also found a spiritual home at Crossroads church where she enjoyed fellowship with her friends. She always referred to the church as her family. Bringing Roses or other flowers in bloom for the alter on Sundays gave her great purpose and a blessing from God for her little rose garden.
Faith and prayer were paramount to her; always providing her personal blessing of protection over people; “The Lord bless you and protect you by the blood of the lamb”, Even with dementia affecting her memory, she loved listening to music and praying with friends. Even though her stories and blessing to others will be remembered, she herself will be missed immensely.
She leaves behind a daughter Angelique and son-in-law Jeffrey Kroeller, son Frankie Binkowski and daughter- in- law Julie Binkowski, three grandchildren Michael, Matthew and Jasmine and great grandson Mason. Her brother Gerry Grabner and sister-in-law Dianne, sister Trudy Poynter and brother-in-law Doug and brother-in-law Heinz Schueller. She is preceded in death by her husband Frederick Warner, sister Liane Schueller and sister Brigitta Walker.
A memorial service for Erika will be held October 7th at 12 noon at Creekside Church, 18527 60th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA. 98037
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