Obituary of Erika Elfriede Troske

Erika peacefully left this life to join her beloved family in Heaven on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Turning 85 years old was always a goal and she was able to celebrate that milestone on February 7th with many friends at her side. A Reston resident for more than 30 years, Erika most recently resided at the Monroe House Assisted Living Community in Sterling. Erika was born in Hannover, Germany to Wilhelm Troske and Elisabeth Kniep Troske in 1929. She adored her older brother Georg and had wonderful memories of her childhood years in Germany. World War II caused a difficult interruption in the family's life, but they were all fortunate to be safely together afterwards and have the chance to rebuild their lives. When her schooling was completed, Erika joined her brother in the printing business that their father owned in Hannover. Georg went on to marry and have a daughter, Susan. Erika was godmother to Susan and always referred to her as "my child." Over the years, the Troske family enjoyed vacations all together at the Baltic Sea -- one of Erika's fondest memories. Someone recently described Erika as having had a "zest for life" and she truly did. In 1964, Erika boldly and bravely left Germany for a chance to live in America. She went to work first for a family in Rye, New York, dazzling them with her culinary skills as she attended to the family's needs. In the next few years, Erika would move to Philadelphia, where she was employed by one of the large city banks, and then it was on to the Washington DC suburbs. Along the way, Erika attained her United States citizenship -- one of her proudest and most important moments. Dear German friends lived in "a place called Reston" and that was where Erika chose to settle in the early 1970s. Erika found meaningful work where her people skills and abilities working with numbers were appreciated. Erika's gift of a beautiful singing voice gave her the opportunity to be a part of the Reston Chorale. Raised in the Lutheran tradition, Erika sought out a church home where she would feel welcome and she certainly had her wish fulfilled. Christ the Servant Lutheran Church was just forming in Reston in early 1974 ... and the chance sight of a small sign at Lake Anne Plaza would lead Erika to a 40 year relationship with people who would become her family and eventually refer to her as "The Matriarch" of Christ the Servant. Erika endured the losses of her parents, her brother, and Susan during her life. Family survivors in Germany are Susan's sons -- Erika's much-loved great-nephews, Jonas and Dustin Sercombe. Erika's life will be celebrated at a music-filled service at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church on Sunday, March 23, at 2:00 pm. A reception and roast (per her instructions) will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Erika's memory to the Christ the Servant Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.