Erna Jane Puckett

Erna Jane Puckett, beloved mother, grandmother, and matriarch, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2024, in Mount Angel, Oregon. Born on July 1, 1946, in Erding, Germany, Erna was the cherished daughter of Lloyd and Erna Manuel. Her mother, a war bride, married Lloyd, a soldier serving during World War II. Baptized as a baby in the Lutheran Church and came to the United States when she was three. Erna loved cooking and was taught many of her mother's traditional home-cooked dishes.

Erna was an only child who spent her formative years in Winston, Oregon, where she graduated from Douglas High School. Although she took some college courses, her heart was dedicated to her family when she married Don Puckett on May 11, 1968. Together, they raised their five children, Allen, Susie, Donnie, Tammi, and Bruce, on a large farm in Grants Pass, Oregon. Erna's life on the farm was marked by her love for riding horses, hauling cows, cleaning the barn, and taking meticulous care of her home and family. She ensured her children were well-dressed and well-cared-for, reflecting her own penchant for looking nice while never shying away from hard work.

In December of 1977, following the decline of the lumber industry, Erna and Don moved to Tyonek, Alaska, drawn by their shared love for the great outdoors. Don worked in a chip mill while Erna taught and substituted at the local school. After ten years in rural Alaska, they relocated to Anchorage and then Wasilla, where Don built their forever home. Their years in Alaska were filled with hunting moose, bison, caribou, deer, and elk, fishing for salmon, and Erna's skills in smoking and canning the catch.

Following Don's passing in December 2018, Erna, though heartbroken, found solace in her family, and the memories they shared. In March 2024, she moved back to Oregon to be cared for by her daughter Tammi, residing at Mount Angel Towers in Mount Angel. Erna formed close bonds with her devoted caregivers during her time there.

Erna is preceded in death by her husband, Don Virgil Puckett, and her son, Donnie Ray, who passed in 2022. She is survived by her son Allen Puckett (Judy), her daughters Susie Butcher (Richard) and Tammi Starrs (John), her son Bruce Puckett, 20 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Erna will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her family and friends.

A reunion with her beloved husband will take place at the Pioneer Cemetery in Palmer, Alaska, where she will be laid to rest. Erna Jane Puckett's legacy of love, strength, and dedication to family will endure in the hearts of all who knew her.

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