Era Jaedike, age 94 of the Leland area, passed away on February 28, 2012 in Spring Green. She spent her final days comforted by the love of her adoring daughters and grandchildren.

Era Dorothea Lydia Schwanke was born in Honey Creek Township on April 11, 1917 to Walter and Paula (Martin) Schwanke. She grew up with her younger siblings on the family farm and attended nearby Leland School. She was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church in Leland.

Era and Herbert Jaedike married in November 1938. She and Herbert lived on his family's farm where they worked with his parents and raised four children. When asked on her 90th birthday to describe living in the same house with her in-laws for over thirty years, Era laughed and said "Never again." Her hope was that her children would all have their own homes.

Era worked tirelessly on the farm. She hosted hundreds of Sunday dinners for family and friends. While Herbert tended to the dairy cows, hogs and crops, Era cared for the house, garden and laying hens whose eggs she sold to the local markets. She was a member of the Homemakers Club and the Honey Creek Rod and Gun Club.

Mostly, Era was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She and Herbert provided a strong Christian home where they taught their children to be kind, loving persons. She was an excellent cook, baker, vegetable and flower gardener, hostess, seamstress and fisherman, all gifts that she freely passed along to her children and grandchildren.

Era is survived by her devoted daughters Jeanette (William) Emer of Plain, Sharon Martin of Janesville and Donna (James) Grauvogl of Rock Springs, a son, Ron Jaedike of Sauk City, and a brother, Webster Schwanke of Plain. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, James Langdon, John Langdon, Sandra Kerl, Susan Martin, Anthony Grauvogl, Chad Grauvogl, Jeff Jaedike and Jason Jaedike, her great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Era was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Jaedike, parents, Walter and Paula Schwanke, sister, LaVera Yanke, brother, Raymond Schwanke, and in-laws, Herman and Anna Jaedike.

Funeral services for Era Jaedike will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at St. John Lutheran Church in Leland with Pastor Erich Hartenberger officiating. Friends may visit at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral. Burial will follow in the St. John cemetery. The family requests that donations be made to St. John Lutheran Church, Leland.

Era's family thanks the staffs of The Pines in Prairie du Sac, The Meadows in Spring Green and Greenway Manor in Spring Green for their care of Era during the final years of her life.

Thank you Mom, Grandmother and Great Grandmother for loving, caring and always sharing your wisdom and gifts.