Elma Berger Erb

Elma Berger Erb
February 26, 1907 - April 22, 2006
Wellman, Iowa
Visitation: 2-8 p.m. April 25, 2006 at Powell Funeral Home, Wellman
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. April 26, 2006 at Asbury United Methodist Church
Interment: April 26, 2006 at Wellman Cemetery
Elma Berger Erb was born February 26, 1907 in Iowa County near Wellman, Iowa the daughter of Arthur and Lovina (Groff) Ruegsegger. She attended Franklin rural school and graduated from Wellman High School in 1924. After graduating from High School she attended college at Cedar Falls, where she received her First Grade Uniform County teachers certificate which entitled her to teach rural school, which she did for 9 years. On May 30, 1934 she was united in marriage to Henry Berger at the Franklin Methodist Church, Henry died on May 12, 1971. They farmed until 1963 when they moved to Wellman where she continued to live. 2 sons were born to this union, Harlan and Dennis. Elma worked as a telephone operator in Wellman for 5 years, a nursing home, and a custodial home for several years. She was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years, a member of the United Methodist Women, and Order of Eastern Star where she was a past Worthy Matron. On November 26, 1977 she was united in marriage to Rev. Earl Erb at the Asbury United Methodist Church. She continued to live in Wellman, spending the winters in Florida. Elma died on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at Parkview Manor in Wellman from complications of age of 99 years. Elma is survived by 2 sons - Harlan Berger and wife Diane of Coralville; Dennis Berger and wife Janice of Wellman; a stepson - Darrell Gripenberg and wife Charlotte of Des Moines; 6 grandchildren - Bonnie Hogan, David Broadie (Cindy), Debra Negley (John), Rick Berger (Judy), Steve Berger (Julie), Terry Berger (Pati); 2 step grandsons - David Gripenberg, Dennis Gripenberg; 8 great grandchildren - Peter and Abby Hogan; Christopher, Ashley and Collin Broadie, Max Berger, Madeline Negley, Shea Berger; 6 step great grandchildren - Garth and Derek Gripenberg, Brian, Jeremy, Melissa and Emily Ferry; a brother - Delmar Ruegsegger of Wellman; and a sister - Marilyn Kirkpatrick of North English. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband's, a sister - Iona Swartzendruber; and 3 brothers - Gerald, Leo and Orville Ruegsegger.
A Memorial Fund has been established for the Asbury United Methodist Church and the Wellman Senior Center.