On October 20, 2009, Amy Mares died peacefully at The Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center. During the final years of her life she faced failing health with determination and courage. Ernest R. “Ernie” Mares was her devoted companion throughout the 59 years of their marriage and her mainstay along with daughters and their families during her illness.

Amy Elinor Brungardt was born on March 22, 1922, in Hastings, Nebraska, to the late Henry and Grace Klein Brungardt. Her early years were in Hastings and the family moved to Seward, Nebraska in 1938 when she was a sophomore in high school. She graduated from Seward High School and attended Concordia University of Nebraska at Seward, Nebraska.

In 1942, Amy married Captain Herbert G. Lierman, U.S. Government Services, who preceded her in death in 1949. Ernie Mares, a fellow Nebraskan and Seward High School graduate, returned to her life and they were married on October 29, 1950.

 Amy’s family and her home were the center of her life and she demonstrated her love through her many caring actions, beautiful handwork, special cookies and decorations, and thoughtful handwritten notes and cards. She spent many volunteer hours involved in the PTA, which presented her with a lifetime membership; the Erie Civic Ballet; Jaycees Auxillary; Dorcas Circle and Ladies Aid Society of Trinity Lutheran Church. She modeled for her children the importance of participating in community activities, and instilled in them the basic values of honesty and commitment.

Amy and Ernie enjoyed their many long time friendships and activities which included bridge and travel groups, and activities with working associations of General Electric Co. where Ernie was employed. Their travels both with the GEER Group and as a couple are chronicled in Amy’s creative albums. They also enjoyed square dancing and socializing with the Y Squares, Squaws and Paws and Presque Isle Dancers Clubs. She and Ernie enjoyed the Erie Playhouse, Erie Civic Music Association, Erie Philharmonic Pops Concerts, and events at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst College.

Her survivors include her loving husband, daughters, their spouses, and her grandchildren. Patricia and Kenneth Miller and their children Kyle, Nora Blackwell and husband Gary, Jeanne and Jack Kleene, Deborah and Vincent Randisi, Laura Mares and Felix Chinchilli and their daughters Anna and Ellen. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Marjorie and Willard Guard of Littleton, Colorado, and close sister-in-law Jane Lierman Tomandl and her husband Richard Tomandl of Mobile, Alabama, as well as many nieces, nephews and their children.

Amy was preceded in death by a beloved son, Brian R. Mares, an older brother Robert Brungardt, a younger sister Pauline Brungardt Dudek, and infant twin brothers Ronald and Donald Brungardt.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of The Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center for their kind and excellent care while she was a resident for many years.

A Memorial Service will be held with the date and time to be announced. Burial will occur at a later date in the Seward Cemetery at Seward, Nebraska. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Dusckas Funeral Home, Inc., East, 2607 Buffalo Road.

Memorial donations may be made to The Sarah A. Reed Retirement Center, 227 West 22nd St., Erie, PA 16502 or Trinity Lutheran Church, 14 East 38th St. Erie, PA 16504, or to a charity of one’s choice. To send condolences, visit www.dusckasfuneralhome.com .