Erna Marie Ternus, 90, of Humphrey, Nebraska, died Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk, Nebraska.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, December 29 at 10:00 AM, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey with Fr. Eric Olsen and Fr. Joseph Hemmer concelebrating the Mass. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM vigil service, and continue Thursday from 9:00 AM until service time, all at the church. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Erna Marie Ternus was born February 13, 1932, in Cornlea, Nebraska, to Albert and Antonette (Huettner) Hemmer. Erna was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cornlea, Nebraska, where she attended grade school. She graduated from St. Francis High School in Humphrey. On November 22, 1956 (Thanksgiving Day), Erna was united in marriage to Richard Ternus at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Before marriage, Erna worked at St. Thomas Orphanage in Lincoln, Nebraska, and at the medical records office at St. Elizabeth Hospital, also in Lincoln. Later, she and Richard farmed together northeast of Humphrey on the homestead Ternus family farm. After her children were grown, Erna served as a poll worker and census taker and worked as head cook at Humphrey St. Francis cafeteria as well as Head Start in Columbus. Erna and Richard retired from farming in 1986 and sold real estate in Phoenix, Arizona for 18 months, then lived in Columbus, Nebraska for a few years before moving back to the farm.

Erna had an unshakeable Christian faith. She was a longtime member of Humphrey St. Francis Catholic Church and was active in the Women's Choir and in Christian Mothers. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 30 years and served as president for 15 years, and also belonged to an Extension club. She helped organize and served as a leader of the Swinging Seventies 4-H Club for girls, and another 4-H club for boys. Erna maintained connections with her numerous relatives across the country, planned several family celebrations and reunions over the years, and preserved historical family documents. She and Richard traveled to all 50 states and abroad.

Erna was an accomplished seamstress who sewed hundreds of items including her bridesmaids' dresses, her sister's wedding dress, blankets and pillows for the grandkids, and many outfits for her mom, siblings, herself, and her children and grandchildren. She was an avid reader, flower and vegetable gardener, and canner. Erna enjoyed polka dances and music, and was a loyal HSF Flyer fan and a Husker volleyball fan. She loved playing games and cards, especially pitch, and was a fearless bidder.

Erna treasured her friends, relatives, siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. She was the rock of the family and dearly loved.

Erna is survived by:
Daughter – Gwen (Richard) Steiner of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Becky (Mark) Scott of Belgrade, NE
Son – Mark Ternus of Schuyler, NE
Son – Glenn (Joyce) Ternus of Madison, NE
19 Grandchildren
30 Great Grandchildren
Brother – Fr. Joseph Hemmer, OFM of Kaltag, AK
Sister – Patricia "Pat" Bierman of LeClaire, IA
Sister – Elaine (Don) Hamm of Centerville, IA
Sister – Carol Freudenburg of Madison, NE
Sister-in-law – Elda Hemmer of Norfolk, NE
Many nieces and nephews

Erna was preceded in death by:
Parents – Albert and Antonette Hemmer
Husband – Richard Ternus
Sons – Gregory and Paul Ternus
Daughter – Margie Ternus
Daughter-in-law – Susan Ternus
Great Granddaughter – Theresa Scott
Siblings – Floyd (Mary Ann) Hemmer, Lee Hemmer, William Hemmer, Elizabeth (Ray) Patrick
Brother-in-law - Dave Bierman