Erika (Jabor) Noth

Erika Noth, age 94, was born in August of 1925 in Elberfeld, Germany. Her parents were Erwin and Maria Jabor. She had one older sister, Elizabeth, whom she was very close to.  The family moved to Schalksmuehle, Germany when Erika was still a child.  There, she later met the love of her life, Kurt Noth.


At the age of 15, Erika decided to live and work on a farm for 3 ½ years.  She found this to be a very enjoyable experience.  The days were long and the work was hard but Erika loved being busy. After returning home, she found employment at an exclusive dress shop and was taught the art of being a good sales lady.  She loved working there.   When WWII started, Erika’s life changed.  Kurt joined the navy and fortunately came back home after the war ended.


Erika married Kurt and they had one daughter, Karin, in 1948.  Due to bad economic conditions after the war, Kurt decided they would leave Germany to make a better life in Canada.  Kurt, along with 2 friends, left Germany for Canada in 1952.  They started working at Ford Motor Company, attended English classes, and then sent for their families to join them.  Erika did not want to leave her family and the country she loved but decided to follow her husband.


A few months later, Erika and her daughter boarded a ship and crossed the ocean to Canada.  It was quite an adjustment for Erika.  She did not speak or understand English and even going to the grocery store was a huge task.  They saved their money and purchased their first house two years later.  The three of them had a wonderful life in Windsor, Ontario.  After living there for 14 years, in 1966, the decision was made to move to Michigan due to a move by Kurt’s employer.  They purchased a home in Troy, Michigan and lived there until their retirement in 1981.


Kurt and Erika fell in love with Arizona.  They bought a home in Mesa, in a retirement community and were very active, making many friends and volunteering for Pancake Breakfasts, Bingo, and Bus Trips. They had 30 wonderful years of retirement together.


Erika is survived by her loving daughter, Karin (Peter) Kruppe, three cherished grandchildren, Nicole Zarifis, Michael Kruppe and Steven (Laura) Kruppe, and one great grandchild, Madelyn Borchert whom she adored. Maddie loved her Oma and visited often.


Family and Friends are invited to gather for Memorial Visitation Sunday, January 5, 2020 from 12:00 pm until time of Memorial Service at 1:00 pm with Pastor Nick Price officiating at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home, 516 S. Washington St., Naperville, Illinois.


Erika’s family invites you to visit the “Codolences” and “Photos” sections of this memorial to leave a message or memory or to upload a photograph.

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