Clara Ernst

1932 - 2023

The family of the late Clara Ernst (née Iwasiuk), are saddened by the loss of their sister, mother and grandmother, who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at the age of 90 years, with her children by her side.

A graveside service was held at the Vauxhall Cemetery on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. 

Clara is survived by her brother Andrew, children Sherry (Lawrie) and Mark (Lisa) and grandchildren Shayla, Jessica, AJ, Matthew and Alexander.

Born in Vauxhall June 1, 1932, Clara completed her education degree at the University of Alberta and taught grades 3-9 in many communities across Canada including Calgary, Cold Lake, Ottawa and Victoria. In her early career as a science teacher at CFB Borden, her classroom was full of hatching chicks, newborn gerbils and aquariums. Clara completed her master’s in education at the University of Victoria and spent much of her career in the Victoria area elementary schools of Strawberry Vale, Doncaster, Hillcrest, Oaklands, and James Bay as a classroom teacher and librarian.

Clara had a lifelong interest in travel. She enjoyed many overseas trips to numerous countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, the British Isles, Ukraine and Russia. Some of her favourite trips were in Canada with brother Andrew. She even climbed Mt. Fuji and went on a night safari in South Africa.

Clara enjoyed many activities. She was a champion downhill skier in her early life in Alberta. She also enjoyed playing tennis and line dancing. Her garden delighted neighbours and she volunteered her time in the community including Santa’s Anonymous and the Ukrainian Cultural Centre where she enjoyed making perogies.