Edna L. Sernau

Edna L. Sernau, 89, of St. Joseph, went to be with the Lord, May 14, 2014, at her home. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:00 A.M. Monday, May 19, 2014 at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Glenn Rosenbaum officiating.  Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma.  Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church St. Joseph, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Petoskey, MI, Michigan Lutheran High School, St. Joseph, or Hospice at Home, St. Joseph. Those wishing to share a memory of Edna online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com Edna was born March 16, 1925 in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the daughter of Paul and Lucille (Emhoff) Brown.  She was a proud graduate of BHHS, class of 1943.  She worked at Hong Fong and at Ju Joes Chinese Restaurants as a waitress.  She also worked at Remington Rand in the payroll department. On June 12, 1948, she married the love of her life Raymond Sernau at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Benton Harbor.  She and Raymond were members of Grace Lutheran Church in Benton Harbor and they followed their church to St. Joseph in 1968, which led to building their home in Royalton Township. She was instrumental in helping her father start Brown’s Locksmiths, which became three family businesses.  Two are existing today, Brown’s Locksmiths, which she worked at until November, 2013, and Berrien County Locksmiths and Brown’s Luggage, which was open from 1973 to 1992.  When not working, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and spoiling them. Edna is survived by her brother Robert Brown, St. Joseph; her children Cheryl (Doug) Anthony, St. Joseph, Gerry Sernau, Benton Harbor, Kerry (Vicki) Sernau, Berrien Springs, Ray Sernau, St. Joseph, Lori (Brian) Shank, St. Joseph; seven grandchildren Rachel (Rev. Jonathan) Ardnt, Rebecca (Matthew) Pranger, Matthew (Terri) Sernau, Kelly (Bryan) Scholtes, Eric Sernau & fiance Miranda, Katherine Shank and Emily Shank; seven great grandchildren Nathaniel, Grace & Josiah Arndt, Sierra & Christian Pranger, Brett Sernau, Addison Scholtes; and one step great grandson Zac Pranger. Edna was preceded in death by her husband Ramond, her parents Paul and Lucille Brown, one brother Melvin Brown and one sister Bernice Brown.