Erna Wiest, 88, passed away on Wednesday, November 1, 2006, with family at her side.

She was born March 4, 1918, to John and Lydia Sutter in Friedenfelt, Russia.  She married Karl Sigmund in 1937.  They had three children—John, Fred, and Karoline.

After receiving word of her husband’s death in World War II, Erna eventually came to the United States in 1951 with her children, her mother, and her two sisters and their families.

She settled in Bismarck, N.D., where she met Edward Wiest.  They married July 2, 1952, and moved to Billings where they had three children—Edward, Milton, and David.  Her husband preceded her in death.

Erna was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.  She was devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, never forgetting a birthday or anniversary right up to the end of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; son, Fred; sister, Lena; sister, Katja; and brother, Gideon.

She is survived by her sister, Martha Sigmund of Fargo, N.D.; a daughter, Karoline Suhr of Indianapolis, Indiana; four sons—John Sigmund of Frankfurt, Germany; Ed Wiest of Billings; Mick Wiest of Douglas, Wyoming; and David Wiest of Raleigh, N.C.  God blessed her with twenty-one grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Services to celebrate her life and to honor God who gave her eternal life will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 4, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.  Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.