We Remember
*UPDATED* SCHELLENBERG, Erika Elsie
July 30, 1936 — July 21, 2021
A Celebration of Life for Erika Schellenberg will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 11:00 am in the Fireside Room of Willow Park Church, 439 Hwy 33, Kelowna, BC.
Erika Elsie Schellenberg went to be with the Lord on July 21, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson’s. Born in Mervin, Saskatchewan on July 30, 1936, her family moved to a dairy farm in Arnold, BC when she was 2 years old. After high school at MEI in Abbotsford, she spent 1 year at Columbia Bible Institute, before she attended Normal School and became a teacher.
Erika’s first teaching job was in Oyama, BC. Erika began attending Kelowna MB Church, where she met her future husband, Arnold Schellenberg. They were married in Arnold MB Church on August 18, 1957. Children soon followed and Erika gave up her teaching career.
Arnie and Erika soon moved from Kelowna to Westbank, where they built a home on the Okanagan Lake. They lived in their lakeside home for 45 years, hosting many family members, friends, and church groups.
Erika raised 3 children, and was the bookkeeper for Arnika Management, their contracting business. Although she did not really see herself as a camper or hiker, there were many happy family times spent in the outdoors.
Erika was very musical. She sang in the church choir and Voice of Praise, a women’s musical group that performed around the province. She played piano and organ for church for many years. She was involved in teaching and leading at Christian Women’s Club and at Take-A-Break at Willow Park Church. She loved to travel and was always looking forward to the next trip. In later years she took up golf.
Erika was an introvert and relied on her quiet times to fuel her many activities. She loved to read and journal. She was also creative – writing music (some of which Voice of Praise performed) and poetry, sewing, crocheting, and more. She loved to tease and laugh.
She will be sorely missed by her husband of 63 years Arnold Schellenberg; children Debora Peters (James) and Brian (Cindy); grandchildren Matt (Faith), Steve (Amanda), Tamara Peters, Cari (Brendan Haug), Mike (Melissa), Loralee Smith (Dawsy), Ashley Ayers (Jeff), Eric (Alanna), and Jenn Peters; great-grandchildren Leila, Hannah, Isaiah, Nathan, Cadianna Poirier, Ruby Ayers, Alice Ayers, Clara, Emma, Lilyanna Haug, and Kelsey; as well as by her siblings John Balzer (Doreen), Edith Neufeldt (Jerry), Dorothy Giesbrecht (Wes), Ed Balzer (Ev), Ruth Ratzlaff (Dave), and Gord Balzer (Karen).
Sadly, Erika was predeceased by her son Robert in 2007 and also by her parents, John & Marie (née Poetker) Balzer, and her sister Betty Neumann.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
I want to express my sadness For the loss of your mom Debbie. She was there when my first child was born And I know how much she loved him. To this day I remember it like it was yesterday. When I heard that your mom was passing I prayed that God would greet her at heavens Gate with a a beautiful choir of angels. I trust my prayer was answered. She would be so pleased with this. singing the songs she loved and sang herself. I know she’s at peace and she has been restored to her healthy self And residing in Gods house.
Please give a hug to your dad and tell him I will be praying for him. . For peace and strength.
Love
Annette
I am very sorry for your loss and wish your family strength during this difficult time.
Tracy Gray, Member of Parliament, Kelowna – Lake Country