Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Beloved wife of the late Thomas J. Erbs for 60 years; loving mother of Michelle (the late Michael) Sullivan, Todd (Greta) Erbs, Jeanne (Michael) Lampe and the late Scott (surviving Paula) Erbs; adoring grandmother of Kevin, Daniel (Lauren), Craig and Amy Erbs, Meghan Sullivan, Kathleen (Ryan) Hanley and Claire Sullivan, Alex, Emily (fiancé Ryan Malone) and Natalie Erbs, Allison, Luke and Rosie Lampe; dear sister of the late Kenneth (surviving Patricia Sharry) Gansmann; dear sister-in-law of Nancy (the late Ron) Jones. Our dearest aunt, great-aunt, cousin and friend to many.
The daughter of Valentine J. and Mary (Hatch) Gansmann of Alaska Avenue, she grew up sneaking sauerkraut from her grandfather’s grocery store and dreamed of being a big sister—a wish fulfilled at age nine with the birth of her brother, Kenny.
A dutiful student and Cardinals fan, Mary Anne didn’t notice her classmate Tom Erbs’ affection until eighth grade, when he asked her to couples skate. That small act began a lifelong partnership—one filled with love, family, travel, and legacy.
At St. Anthony’s High School, Mary Anne made lifelong friends, many dating Tom’s CBC teammates. Her senior year portrait listed cheerleader, class officer, class play, and Student Council president. She was runner-up in the Knights of Columbus citywide essay contest. Though her parents encouraged her to attend college, she chose instead to ensure Kenny’s education could be funded. Tom went on to Notre Dame. She later teased her granddaughters she feared he’d meet “someone up at the girls’ school” and leave her in St Louis. In 1956, he asked her to marry him.
They wed and moved to South Bend, where Tom began law school. Mary Anne worked in Notre Dame’s athletic scholarship office before becoming pregnant with their first child, Scott Thomas, born in March 1959. She later described the years in South Bend as “the best times of my whole life.”
The young Erbs couple were natural curators of community. They famously set up a blind date that led to the creation of the Albers family, who grew alongside them for generations. To this day, their grandchildren forge relationships of their own, considering each other cousins. This speaks to the incredible kindness, diplomacy, and grace that came to Mary Anne so naturally it is easy to forget how rare someone like this is.
After years of hoping for more children, Mary Anne and Tom welcomed Todd Kenneth. Just three months later, while at a check-up for Todd she learned she was pregnant again! Jeanne Marie was born before Todd’s first birthday, completing the Erbs family.
Mary Anne was an original soccer mom – driving Scott and Michelle to and from school, practice, rehearsal, more practice… bringing Todd & Jeanne along for the rides. When the basement wasn’t a rehearsal space for legendary band SubStation it was the local hangout. All the kids hung out at the Erbs’. Mrs. Erbs always had the fridge and pantry stocked to the brim.
All four children went on to get married – each wedding a momentous occasion. As her children had their children, Mary Anne and her husband traveled the world – quite literally. She reports the most beautiful places to be Ireland and Vietnam. She is not welcome back at the tomb of King Tut.
Mary Anne had 13 grandchildren but was grandmother to all who crossed her path. Her children and grandchildren’s friends called her “Grandma Erbs”. She attended every game, recital, performance, graduation, fundraiser dinner, school fair, homecoming weekend, out of town tournament, etc… for EACH OF HER GRANDCHILDREN. This is not an exaggeration.
In the act of giving, she received. Even in her final days she wanted to give more – she wanted to dance with every grandchild at their wedding, she had pre-made gift bags for future great grandchildren, there was one more burp cloth she needed to make for an infant nephew-in-law, chew toys for puppies in her closet…. She absolutely loved her people. And boy oh boy did her people love her. “More than I can say.”
Were there a syllabus for “A Life Well Lived” Grandma Erbs would be top of the class. “
Funeral from Kutis Affton Chapel 10151 Gravois Rd. 63123 on Monday, September 29 at 9:30 am. to St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church for 10:00 am. Mass. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions to deGreeff Hospice House appreciated. Visitation Sunday 3-8 pm.
Our hearts hurt for each and every one of you. Your Mom was the definition of Goodness. She shared her love, kindness and compassion and touched all of us in an indelible way. May she rest peacefully in the arms of the Angels.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Anne in April and saw her weekly to share Holy Communion until her recent hospitalization. I loved our visits and listening to her stories about her beloved family. She loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed all their visits and outings together! She was a devout Catholic and taught me a lot about Saints. I already miss her and will always cherish the time we spent together!
She will be missed! Rest in peace MaryAnn, your journey is complete and was a job well done.
We are Mary Ann’s neighbors and we will miss her dearly. “Grandmother to all” is a very apt moniker for Mary Ann as our children loved her and she never missed an opportunity to stop and chat with them while we were outside. They grew up feeling her kindness and genuine attention. She taught them such a valuable lesson in “loving thy neighbor.” Our entire family will miss her dearly and our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very sad time. The world has lost a wonderful woman. Love, the Pyle Family
Todd, I send my condolence reading about the loss of your mother. Alex, my condolence to you for the loss of your grandmother.
God, please give Todd and Alex comfort, and welcome Mrs. Erbs into Heaven with You