Christine Lois (McLain) Erks was born Oct. 1, 1925, to Jeff Sowers and Ruth (Casler) McLain in Utica.
She was baptized at the Presbyterian Church on Oct. 10, 1925. She attended Utica High School, graduating in 1942. On Aug. 24, 1945, Christine was united in marriage to Louis John Erks at Immanuel Lutheran Parsonage by Rev. H.E. Meyer. To this union, Louis and Christine had two sons, Dennis and Stanley. She was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on Dec. 16, 1945, also by Rev. Meyer.
Christine taught in a country school for four years. She was then a housewife and also worked at the Centennial kitchen and the post office. She was a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Gresham until 1949, when they moved to Utica and she joined St. Paul Lutheran Church. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, studying family history and card club. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. Christine passed away Jan. 11, 2024, in Seward at the age of 98.
She is survived by her son, Stanley (Carol) Erks of Utica; daughter-in-law, Connie Erks of Lincoln; grandchildren, Nicole (David) Ringler, Scott (Missy) Erks, Drew (Ashley) Erks, and Brenna (Matthew) Barney; great-grandchildren, Zach Ringler, Ethan Ringler, Noah Ringler, Myron Erks, Lucas Barney, Emma Barney, Eric Barney, Ryker Erks and Breckyn Erks. Christine was preceded in death by her parents, Jeff and Ruth McLain; husband, Louis Erks; son, Dennis Erks; sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and Harvey Barth; and other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
The funeral service will be Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Utica with committal at the Utica Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Erks family. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
