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Erika Krinock, 72, of Westbrook and Pfahlbronn, Germany, passed away peacefully on Jan. 13, with her family by her side.

Born in Pfahlbronn, Germany, on April 24, 1949, Erika came to America as a young, idealistic lady full of dreams and in search of an exciting new life. She brought along her oldest daughter and only son before having another daughter in America.

God truly took his time when he made her. Erika was one of a kind, extremely loving and giving, yet a tiny force to be reckoned with. All who knew her loved her. She spent the majority of her life living on the shoreline, working in many different jobs from waitressing to cleaning homes. Erika was not only beautiful on the outside, but it really shined through from within. Erika had the strength of a bull and the mind of a genius. You could often find her at the kitchen table playing word games with her beloved friends. Erika worked tirelessly right up to her death to care for her children and grandchildren. Erika was truly a saint; she would never turn anyone away who needed help even if she didn’t have much to give. Erika loved her four grandchildren and was proud of each and every one of them. God broke the mold when he made her, and she will forever be loved and missed beyond words.

“I have called thee by name, though art mine” — Isaiah 43:11

She was predeceased by her mother Johanna Hammer, father Franz Hammer, and brother Franz Hammer.

She is survived by her son Gene Bush; daughters Bellinda Allen and JoAnne Bush; grandchildren Jessica Bush, Parker Wills, and James and Kallista Allen; brothers Konrad Hammer (Elisabeth) and Joseph Hammer (Ileana); sisters Margarete Teague (Emmett) and Maria Beuttel (Roland); many nieces and nephews in America and Germany; and many, many friends.

In lieu of traditional services, we will be having a celebration of life at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, located at 18 Seascape Drive, Westbrook.