Erika Bastian, 91

September 01, 2024

Erika Bastian, 91, passed away on 9/1, surrounded by her family. A resident of Moravian Manor for 14 years, she spent her last 3 months in her daughter’s home, savoring the beauty of outings to her favorite botanical gardens and forests, as well as the many birds that visited her daughter’s deck and surrounding native gardens.

Born in Kassel, Germany, she married our father, Karlheinz Bastian, in 1956 and had two children before immigrating to Pennsylvania in 1961. At first working modestly on surrounding farms, they settled in Lancaster County, where they had a third child and built their home. Erika worked for several years at the Rose Bowl in Lancaster City, first as hostess, then as bookkeeper. In the early 80’s they accepted the challenge of opening a satellite facility for the German company HEWI, Inc, first in Ridgewood, NJ and later in Centerville, PA, with Erika as controller and Karlheinz as operations manager. From these positions they retired and traveled often to Germany, maintaining strong ties to family and friends there.

Erika loved culture and history and enjoyed meaningful conversations with family and friends. A strong supporter of the library, she was a life-long self-educator who read voraciously, and in years past she even borrowed wall art from the Lancaster Public Library when that was available. Skilled at playing piano, she sang in choirs and savored the classical music that became the soundtrack of her life. Family time included meals or cocktails around beautifully set tables, always with fresh cut flowers, as well as many hours spent by the family pool, where Erika delighted in watching the kiddos play. Erika spent hours in her gardens, enjoyed playing games with friends, and treasured walks through woods and neighborhoods with family.

She will be dearly missed by her children Sabine Caldwell (Stephen), Kristina Schroeder (James) and Thomas Bastian (Debbie), along with 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Despite her love of flowers, mom often said “plant a tree for me,” so Erika would be delighted to know that any remembrances were made as a donation to the Lancaster Conservancy, whose trails she happily explored with her family. A celebration of her life is planned for October, details to follow.