With grace and at peace, Erna Marie (Wagner) Schock, 97, of Miles City, MT, went to sleep in the CHI St. Alexius Health Turtle Lake Hospital, and woke up in Heaven on June 24, 2025. Her long and beautiful life was marked by love, faith, and quiet strength — a steady presence in the lives of all who knew her.

Born on November 3, 1927, at the family home in Mercer, North Dakota, Erna was the 11th of 15 children born to Fred and Mathilda Wagner. She often said she didn't want to be the last one standing, yet in God's plan, she outlived all her beloved siblings, faithfully carrying their memories until her own journey was complete. On September 8, 1946, Erna married Walter Schock. Together, they built a life grounded in love, faith, and family, raising seven children and sharing 56 years of marriage before Walt's passing in 2002.

Erna's life was centered around raising her children in the early years, while also finding unique ways to supplement their growing family's income: selling cream to the local creamery, chopping onions for Henry's Hamburgers, and boarding dogs, to name a few.  She cherished her first job outside the home when she was hired at Coast to Coast in Miles City, MT, in 1968. She proudly worked there for more than 20 years. She earned her high school diploma at age 65, "because she could", and because she valued learning new things each and every day.

A woman of deep and enduring faith, she had a close, personal relationship with the Lord and remained eager to grow in His word until her final days. One of her favorite sayings was, "It is what it is." And she truly lived those words — accepting life with what she often called "love, peace, and joy" in her heart. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, peace, and unshakable belief in God.

Erna was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. Her family always knew how deeply she loved them because she made sure to tell them in birthday cards, phone calls, or in person, every chance she got. She was also a talented craftswoman who expressed her love through her woodworking crafts, crocheting, baking, and more. Her handmade gifts will always be cherished.

She is lovingly remembered by her children David Schock, Randy Schock, Audrey Schock-Yates, Alan Schock(Colleen), Calvin Schock(Cori), all of Miles City, Claudia Scott(Bill), of Turtle Lake, N.D., and son-in-law Don Larson of Roseburg, OR;  35 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren, 3 sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is reunited in Heaven with those who went before her, including her parents, her husband, her daughter Virginia Larson, son-in-law Norman E. Yates, 3 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, her 14 siblings, and 19 brothers and sisters-in-law.

A memorial service honoring Erna will be held on Saturday, July 12, at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Miles City, Montana. A funeral service will follow on Wednesday, July 16, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Turtle Lake, North Dakota. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Erna's honor to the Custer County Food Bank, First Lutheran Church of Miles City, Miles City Soup Kitchen, or Special Olympics — organizations close to her heart.