ERMA FRANCES MYERS

Erma Frances (Hardwick) Myers, 81, formerly of Brownville, Nebraska was born on February 16, 1936, on a snowy day in Brownville, Nebraska. Erma graduated from Brownville High School with the class of 1953. She began working in the office at Danny Dare clothing factory after graduation. Shortly after that, Erma became engaged to Kenneth E. Myers and on Friday the thirteenth of November in 1953 they were married. From October of 1954 to November of 1960 came the birth of six children. A few years later, they purchased a home on ten acres northwest of Auburn. The home seemed to be in a constant state of remodeling and expansion. In addition to raising the children, Erma also raised an enormous garden. They also had a dog, cattle, pigs, chickens and cats. Erma served as a chauffeur to the children as they went through the school years at Linden District #21 and Auburn High School. All six children attended college. Soon the children were moving on to their careers and marriages. In 1980, Gene and Erma became grandparents and since then they have been “Granny & PaPa” to 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. On October 24, 2000, Erma’s husband and life partner passed away. Even with help from the kids it soon became apparent that she would not be able to keep up with all the work that acreage required in chores. The decision was made to buy a house in her childhood community of Brownville. Erma became very active in all forms of volunteer work, reconnecting with old friends and making many more friends along the way. When Erma’s daughter Joyce and husband Jim Dykstra were planning an addition to their home, they asked Erma if at some point she would want to come and live with them, what she would want her part of the house to look like. No one had any idea at that time that Erma’s diagnosis of final stage Multiple Myeloma cancer would come as the addition was nearing completion. Throughout Erma’s life she had been a caregiver to her children, her husband, her mother, her grandmother, her husband’s aunt, her grandchildren and to some of the neighbors. Now it was time to let someone else care for her. Erma and the Dykstra family were mutually blessed and grateful for the years they shared together on the acreage by Farragut, Iowa. Erma passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2017, in Farragut, Iowa having reached the earthly age of 81 years, three months, and 18 days. She was preceded in death by her mother Susan Hardwick, husband Kenneth E. Myers, a brother Thomas Hardwick, and a sister Mildred McHenry. Those left to cherish her memory are six children, 15 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, sister-inlaw Pauline Ballue, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many wonderful friends. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at The Hall Funeral Chapel in Auburn, Nebraska with Pastor Robert Chitwood officiating.