We Remember

KLUFTINGER, Erika Maria

July 4, 1934 — March 14, 2024

On March 14, 2024, Erika Maria Kluftinger passed away peacefully at the age of 89. In the days leading up to her passing, Erika was constantly surrounded by the love and care of her family.

Erika was born and raised in Kuessnacht, Switzerland to parents Arthur and Berta Maurer. She was the eldest of three girls and spent her early years developing a lifelong love of outdoor activities and sports. After training as a teacher, she taught briefly at Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz until her marriage to Hermann Kluftinger and subsequent relocation to Kempten, Germany. It was there that Erika raised her active and happy family of five sons and fulfilled her dream of living on a farm and raising horses.

After relocation of the family to Richmond, BC, in 1976, and her subsequent move to Kelowna, in 2003, Erika honed her many interests and hobbies and became very proficient at toll painting, hiking, cross-country skiing, tennis and golf. She possessed a very positive outlook on life, a sparkling personality, and a love of travel that allowed her to make friends all over the world.

Erika is survived by her five sons, Martin (Sheena), Chris (Shirley), Andy (Janet), Stefan (Jocelyne), and Michael; eight grandchildren, Amy (Dave), Jen (Dave), Ryan (Charlotte), Emily (Walker), Lottie, Nicholas, Max, and Adelaide; seven great-grandchildren, Walter, Jasper, James, Maeve, Juniper, Ella and Isabelle; her sister Ursula Hinson; and her cousin Heidi Abel. Erika is predeceased by her sister Beatrice Gamache; her brother-in-law David Hinson; and her grandson Marcus.

The family would like to thank Dr. Rachel Carver, Dr. Brian MacKay and the staff at The Vineyards Residence for the comfort and care that they provided to Erika over the past months and years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Springfield Funeral Home at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

Share with Others:

Share on Facebook
Share Via Email

Send Condolences
Send Flowers, Sympathy Card or Comfort Meal
KGH Foundation Link: www.kghfoundation.com

 


 


Condolences

  • Moni says:
    March 21, 2024 at 10:49 am

    Auntie Erika was a bright light who will be dearly missed! I always loved my visits with her; she was so cheery and inquisitive with a sparkle in her eye. I appreciated her zest for life and loved hearing about all of her current activities and interests. Sending love to the whole family!

    Reply
  • Annie Hartford says:
    March 21, 2024 at 4:50 pm

    Dear Andy & Janet: Condolences to you and your family for this enormous loss to your family. Wishing you comfort & peace.. Annie

    Reply
  • Vera Stern says:
    March 22, 2024 at 1:04 am

    Liebe Kluftingers, mit Trauer habe ich vom Tod von Erika gehört, das ist ein schwerere Verlust für Euch. Ein Trost dürfte sein, dass Ihr bis zuletzt einen so guten , liebevollen Kontakt hattet und sie mit den Schwierigkeiten des Alters begleiten und unterstützen konntet. Trotzdem wird eine Lücke bleiben und wir wünschen Euch allen die nötige Kraft mit dieser Lücke zu leben. Ich habe noch 2 Fotos, die ich im Album meiner Mutter gefunden habe, angehängt, wahrscheinlich kennt Ihr sie bereits.
    Alles Liebe und Gute für die ganze Großfamilie Kluftinger von Vera und allen Sterns aus Stuttgart, Germany

    Reply
  • Eva Schülen says:
    March 22, 2024 at 5:41 am

    Ihr Lieben im fernen Kanada!
    Von Stefan habe ich die traurige Nachricht erfahren. Das ist für alle ein unersetzlicher Verlust. Ich trauere mit Euch und hoffe, dass Ihr trotz des Abschiedschmerzes auch Trost und Dankbarkeit empfinden könnt für die lange und erfüllte Zeit, die Ihr mit Erika verbringen dürftet.
    Ich werde sie als liebenswerten, fröhlichen und immer optimistischen Menschen in Erinnerung halten mit Ihrer hellen sympathischen Stimme.
    Zugleich denke ich an Euren schönen Pfredehof in Bremberg, wo wir Schülens öfters zu Gast sein dürfen, das war für mich als Pferde liebendes Kind ein Paradies.
    Bei ihrem letzten Aufenthalt in Deutschland könnten wir uns nicht sehen, aber wir haben lange telefoniert.
    Herzliches Beileid
    Eure Nichte und Cousine aus Stuttgart
    Eva

    Reply
  • Heidi Abel (Switzerland) says:
    March 22, 2024 at 10:07 am

    Liebe Kluftinger- Boys und Familie
    Eure Zeilen im Gedenken an Erika haben mich tief bewegt. Ja, ihr habt die Charaktereigenschaften und überzeugte Lebensweise von Erika trefflich aufgeführt. Eri war für mich nicht nur Cousine sondern auch eine tolle Patentante. Uns verband eine tiefe Seelenverwandtschaft und wir sagten uns stets wir seinen die letzten richtigen Abels 😜.
    Ob auf Kreta, in Truttikon, Zürich oder auch Vancouver und viel früher in Zuoz und Kempten, unser Zusammensein war stets geprägt durch eine tiefe Verbundenheit. Eri’s Empathie, ihre Fröhlichkeit und Lebenserfahrung, aber auch durch ihre Tiefsinnigkeit haben unsere Treffen stets zu etwas Aussergewöhnlichem gemacht. Anlässlich eines unseres fast letzten Telefonates kurz vor meiner dreimonatigen Reise nach Griechenland im Sommer 2023 wünschte sie sich von mir eindringlich, dass ich Griechenland grüssen, und bei jedem Ouzo auf sie anstossen soll. Ich habs getan. Eri, Yammas!
    Kluftinger- Boys; Eri war eine tolle Mutter. Sie hat euch geliebt- ich weiss es.
    Ich bin traurig und bin in Gedanken bei euch. Viel Kraft und Zuversicht. Erika wird euch/ uns immer begleiten!
    Herzlichst eure Bumi (Heidi Abel, Switzerland)

    Reply

Leave a Condolence Message for the Family


» To share your condolence on this page please fill out the requested fields.
» If you have a photo to share, please do so as families appreciate it. To share a photo (please note, just one photo per condolence please), click the 'Choose File' button and select a photo from your computer.
» Once you are done, click the 'Share' button.
» Your email is never published or shared. Your name and email are both required.

NOTE: all messages will go through an administrative process before being posted.

Testimonials

They took care of me like family.

Judith Szabo

Everything was so organized and pertinent to what we needed. Everyone we met was kind, courteous and very helpful during our emotional and challenging time. Thank you so much.

Heather Mayne

They were so prompt on answering any questions and changing things. They were prepared and respected any religious decisions. The process was so seamless and made easy in such a high stress situation.

Tanya Kohar

In the past 2 years Springfield has helped us through the death of my Mother and my Father. Their response and help allowed us to focus on the remaining family rather than worrying about details of the funeral and all the notifications that are required upon a death.

Terry Eldridge

The atmosphere has been nothing but professional during times of grief.  After the passing of my mother, the staff coached me on the next steps and looked after filling in all the government forms that I needed to sign, which took a huge burden off my mind at the time.

Donald McClure

Everyone was so helpful and kind.  There was no pressure.  They provided exactly what we needed.

Diane Greenwood

From the time I called to the completion of all the services, I received compassionate, attentive and professional care.  There was a sense of caring from each staff member.  I was turning over my Mom to their care and I felt very comfortable with everyone.  I felt heard and never felt pushed into any decision.

Katherine Lewis

I have always found the team at Springfield Funeral Home to be VERY caring, kind, considerate and helpful.  I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who asks which funeral home would I suggest they use.  No other funeral home I have dealt with even comes close to Springfield Funeral Home.

Ethna Tutt

Right at the onset, I was made very comfortable, there was no pressure.  I was made to feel as if I was the only one they had to serve.

Frances Baum

Everything that was arranged for us was perfect.  Our loved one, husband, father, brother was treated with respect.  Thank you for making this difficult time a little more acceptable via your staff’s obvious caring and respect.

Jacquelene Bluschke