Erna E. Coleman, 75, of Sparta died Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI.  She was born on August 3, 1933 in Northfield, Minnesota to Ernest and Katherine (Hollander) Knie. She grew up in Minneapolis and Stockton, MN and graduated from Winona High School in 1950.

     She married Hollie Coleman on June 7, 1951 in Houston, MS.  After marriage they lived on various military posts all around the world. After Hollie retired from the Army they lived in Jolon, CA.

     They moved to Winona in 1973 and then to Sparta in 1989.

     She was a member of the New Life Assembly of God Church.

     She is survived by her husband, Hollie of Sparta; children, LeAnn (David) Virock of Houston, MN, Brian (Brenda) Coleman of Lake City, MN, Lori (Karl) Sussman of Parrish, FL, Pamela (Dennis) Benson of Rockland, WI, Barry (Peggy) Coleman of  Dakota, MN, and Bill (Tina) Coleman of Minnesota City, MN;  11 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Eleanor (Leon) Andrist of Rochester, MN, and and Terry Vanstrom of Minneapolis, MN.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; 2 sisters, Irma and Lillian.

     Funeral services will be on Friday at 11 a.m. at the New Life Assembly of God Church, Sparta with Reverend Randy Williamson officiating. Burial will be in Farmers Valley Cemetery rural Sparta .

     Family and friends are invited to visit the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta on Thursday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Friday at the New Life Assembly of God Church from 9 a.m. until time of services. 

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.