Erna Mae Hennis, daughter of Orvil Lee and Anna Marie (Bode) Cullers, passed away on June 18, 2026, at her home with family present.

Her schooling began in a one-room rural school named Darnell located several miles west of Stillwater, OK. She walked a mile to school with her two older sisters. Later, school continued in Stillwater and Orlando, with graduation occurring from Glencoe high school.

Erna married Gary Hennis in September 1954 and they had two children, Allan Wayne and Rebecca (Becky) Ann James. She is predeceased by her husband Gary, her parents, two sisters Doris Marie Baucom and Vera Lee Esford, and her son Wayne.

She is survived by her daughter Becky (Randy); grandchildren Cheryl Higdon (Jonathan), Kendra Chillemi, and Casey Chillemi (Rachel); great grandchildren Samuel Higdon, Silas Higdon (Jaley), Abigail Higdon, and Aurora Chillemi; great great grandchild Hollis Higdon.

Erna enjoyed helping people and had a great love for the outdoors. Some activities she was known for included using her chainsaw to cut the family firewood and driving the tractor to mow, plow, and plant crops. She planted, harvested, canned/froze the majority of the family's food from multiple large gardens. Over the years, she entered the Payne County fair and won many awards. She had numerous cats, dogs, chickens, guineas, and goats that she loved, they were her "kids". She sewed most of the family's clothes. Her delicious wild grape, sand plum, and blackberry jellies were handpicked and made with much love and effort.
Early in their marriage, Gary and Erna tore down old houses and saved the lumber which they later used to build the house they eventually lived in for over 65 years. Hard work was a way of life for them, and they instilled that same work ethic in their descendants. She cleaned student housing at OSU, followed by work at Stillwater Ace Hardware, and later she worked as a cook at Charlie's Chicken. As her mother's health deteriorated, she provided loving care.

After the kids left the house, she and Gary traveled to Colorado to work on a gold claim along the Animas River. Far below their claim, the Durango to Silverton train still follows the river. They participated in wagon train rides, chuckwagon events and trail rides.

She rarely missed her children's many and varied activities. Erna and Gary often traveled to assist family/friends out of state. Erna had an adventurous side as well, including snow skiing with family, hiking mountain trails (ex. Goose Lake, CO) and fishing Oklahoma ponds.

Per Erna's wishes, no formal service will be held, an informal family/friends memorial will be held at a later date.