Erma L. Johnson

Memorial Services for Erma L. Johnson will be conducted from the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverends Linda Bergeon and Jean Clayton, officiating. Private interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege prior to the Memorial Service.

Erma Lucille (Hoffman) Johnson, 98 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Erma was born May 7, 1910 on the family farm southeast of Ragan in Harlan County, Nebraska, the daughter of R.N. and Grace (Herndon) Hoffman. She started school in a one-room schoolhouse in the country. Later when the schools consolidated, Erma continued her education at Ragan where she graduated from Ragan High School with the class of 1928. She received normal training and taught at the Esterbrook School southwest of Atlanta, Nebraska for two years before marrying Ralph Johnson in 1930.

Ralph and Erma farmed south of Holdrege until purchasing their own land in 1942. Erma was always a hard worker and helped in many ways on the farm until she and Ralph moved to Holdrege in 1975. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading, and getting together with family and friends. Since breaking a hip in December of 2003, Erma has been a resident of Holdrege Memorial Homes.

Erma joined the Ragan Baptist Church at the age of twelve and transferred her membership to the Holdrege Baptist Church in 1948, when Ralph and her son, Waynard, were baptized. Her church family was very important to her, and as long as age and health permitted, she was an active church member teaching Sunday School classes, Bible School, and serving on numerous committees. She attended Bible study regularly.

Erma leaves to mourn her passing her children: son, Waynard Johnson and his wife, Donna of Holdrege and daughter, Janet King and her husband, Craig of Lincoln, Nebraska; four grandchildren: Clettis Johnson of Holdrege, S. Mike Johnson and his wife, Lisa of Holdrege, Christine Keas and her husband, Michael of Fort Worth, Texas, and Timothy King and his wife, Angela of Lincoln; four great-grandchildren: Vanessa, Samantha, and Richard Johnson of Holdrege, and Josiah Keas of Fort Worth, Texas, one great-great granddaughter, Katrina Rose Johnson of Holdrege, and a number of other relatives and friends.

Erma was the last of her family, having been preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers: Clettis and Philipp, sisters: Grova Fecht, Alice Frailey, G. Berdine Huebner and their spouses.

There will be no public visitation; the casket will be closed.

A memorial has been established in her memory and kindly suggested to the First Baptist Church, the Holdrege Public Library or the donor's choice.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.