Elfriede G. Czerwinski, age 95, entered into rest on September 8, 2016 at Sun Terrace in Prosser. She was born on March 18, 1921 in Germany to Maximillian and Marie Jastremski. After Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, Elfriede helped people by translating for them to government entities to find out if their loved one was still alive. She met her future husband, Frank Czerwinski, a Polish pilot, in Greece and they married on January 1, 1958 in North Hampton, England at an estate that belonged to her husband. The couple had one child together, Henry, who lives in Germany.
The Polish family arrived in New York from Germany in 1959, purchased a car and drove cross country from New York to Prosser to visit a Polish war comrade and his family. They fell in love with the valley, the river and the hills. They purchased the Prosser Motel which they owned and operated for sixteen years, until their retirement in 1975.
Elfriede was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, enjoyed playing bridge and trips to the Oregon Coast, Colorado, Poland and England. She was fluent in German, Polish and English and spoke some French. She will be remembered for her thick German accent and bright sparkling eyes.
She is survived by her son, Henry Czerwinski of Munich, Germany and many friends. She was preceded in death by husband, Frank, on October 25, 2004.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 22nd at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. You may leave a message for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com