Erma Stewart, age 96, of Ramona, died Sunday, October 25, 2015, at Golden Living Center, Madison.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Friday, October 30, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church, rural Ramona with burial in the church cemetery. The family will be present for visitation 5-7 PM Thursday at Ellsworth Funeral Home and continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Condolences may be left at www.ellsworthfh.com.
Erma Martha Abraham was born April 17, 1919, near Ramona, to Emil and Ida (Hildebrandt) Abraham. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church, rural Ramona. She graduated from Ramona High School in 1936 and received her teaching certificate from Eastern Normal School in Madison. Erma married Kenneth Stewart on August 24, 1937, at Big Stone City, SD. They lived in Ramona for a few years before moving to a farm south of Ramona in 1944. She helped on the farm all her life. Her husband died in 1952. Erma later worked for ICAP in Madison, helping elderly residents stay in their own home. She remained on the farm until 2012 when she entered Ramona Assisted Living Center.
Erma was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church & WELCA, taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. She was a member of Lakelanders and Sprouts Garden Clubs, a 35-yr. member of SD Federation of Garden Clubs, a 25-yr. member of Kitchen Blenders Band; HarmoniKats for many years, a life member of SD Farmers Union, and was clerk of Concord School.
Erma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1952; one son Gene; two grandsons Randy & Ricky; one infant sister Donna Mae; and an infant granddaughter Mary Lou Stewart.
Survivors include four sons, Donald (Darlene) of Ramona, Robert (Becky) of Anchorage, AK, James of Rogers, AR and Danny (Linda) of Ramona; two daughters, Carol Bebo of Mitchell and Sandra (Rod) Stanford of Dell Rapids; 21 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren.