Franziska Ernst

Franziska Ernst, 84 of Woodbury, N.J. passed on into eternal life on May 15, 2017. Franziska was born in Eger, Czechoslovakia on March 21,1933 to Margarete and Otto Stöhr. She was a trained seamstress and worked in a men’s shirt factory in Arzberg, Germany. She was a member of the Catholic Youth Society, where she met her husband, Josef.  They were married on September 8, 1951. To make a better life for their family and daughter Agnes, they were given the opportunity, through Catholic Relief Services, to come to the United States of America. On December 19, 1956, they arrived by ship in New York City harbor, greeted by the Statue of Liberty.  From there, they went to Magnolia, NJ where their American dream began. Franziska and her husband learned English at night in Camden and provided for their family that included Anita in 1963. Franziska worked for Macy’s for over 20 years until her retirement.  She had passion for reading, traveling, and enjoyed the beach with her husband Josef of 65 years. Franziska is survived her daughters Agnes Strassner (Markus) and Anita Ciconte (Christopher), and her two grandchildren Corey and Christina. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church, Cedar and South Clayton St, Wilmington, DE 19805 on May 18, 2017 at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Interment will follow Mass in Silverbrook Cemetery.