Erika Frank Lentz, 95, Coudersport, PA
COUDERSPORT, PA—Erika Frank Lentz passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024. She was born in Vienna, Austria to the parents of Anna Hopfinger Frank and Koloman Frank on August 26, 1928. She had 4 siblings, Eda, Elfie, Koloman and Walter. She had 4 half-siblings, Ernestina, Koloman, Heidi and Hans. Her family lived and siblings grew up during World War II. Erika was 10 years old when the war started.
Her half-sister Ernestina married after the occupation and left with her family for Australia with no contact from then on. Her brother Koloman at age 17 was required to serve in the military and after only six months was reported as missing in action and assumed killed.
In 1947 after being liberated by the United States she met a soldier and his name was Lawrence M Lentz from the little town of Austin, Pa. They were a couple…Lawrence was discharged from the military and came home in December 1946. His bride followed in January 1947. They were married in the little town of Austin. She was welcomed by the Lentz family with kindness, love and compassion.
Erika became a citizen of the United States in 1955. Erika’s sister Eda and brother Walter left their homeland as well and relocated to Canada sometime after. Her mother, Anna, and her sister, Elfie, came to the US around 1960. At this point, Erika had not seen her mother for those 13 years and there were NO cell phones, NO internet, and virtually no international calling. After a short visit in the States, her mom and sister relocated to Canada.
Erika and Lawrence raised seven children and one grandchild in Austin; Katherine, Lawrence, Mark, Vera, Liesa and her daughter Tara, Brenda and Melinda. It was an awesome time for us her children…we had so many relatives and it was a great family. We were not rich or rocket scientists but we were all FAMILY…we all loved each other and laughed at each other and took care of each other.
My mother never worried if we were gone all day playing with our cousins because she knew one of our aunts or grandparents would be watching out for us, feeding us or sending us home if we got into mischief. I think my mother didn’t realize how her children loved our family life until the past several years. It’s funny how parents and children see things differently. We as parents are striving for better for our children when in reality they already have the best because we love each other…..you can’t beat that!!
