Erma Jane Ropp

KALONA – Erma Jane Ropp, 91, of Kalona, died Friday, June 2, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

Erma was born July 22, 1931, near Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of Chester and Catherine (Clingdanel) Kauffman. On November 25, 1948, Erma was united in marriage to Emil Howard Ropp. Emil & Erma were charter members of Kalona Mennonite Church.  In her younger years, she taught herself cake decorating and baked and sold over 170 cakes. In 1983, Emil and Erma built and ran Country Livin’, a gift and candy store on Hwy 1. Later Erma became a realtor & opened and operated Kalona Realty from 1987-1992.  Erma was the heart of her family, and she loved spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking for them. Her home-cooked meals and pastries were one of the ways she brought them together.  Erma also enjoyed flower gardening, knitting, crocheting, drawing, and making stained glass. She was very artistic and was always perfecting a new skill.  Erma was much loved by her family and will be deeply missed.

Erma is survived by her four children: James Ropp of Evans, Colorado, and his children: Jacquelyn Ropp, Jenna (Erik) Blais, Jamie Ropp; Juanita (Gordon) Troyer of Kalona, and their children: Andrea Troyer, Patrick Troyer, Christopher Troyer; Vivian (Fred) Martin of Washington, and their children: Scott (Alicia) Marner, Teri Marner, Jeff (Jenni) Marner; Kim (Kent) Lehman of Kalona, and their children: Jacob (Katie) Lehman, Michelle (Matthew) Zook, Emily (Isaac) Bixler, Karlee, Katelyn, Rachel, Grace, Faith Lehman; and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving are three sisters: Marilyn Hunt of Riverside, Dawn Whitlock of Riverside, Gayle Barrett of Sultan, Washington; and two brothers Wayne Kauffman of Riverside and Robert Kauffman of Ainsworth. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Emil, three brothers: infant Paul, Lowell, John, and three brothers-in-law.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 pm Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the Kalona Mennonite Church. Pastor Josh Lundberg will officiate. Burial will be in the Sharon Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 - 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for Pleasantview Nursing Home. The Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Erma and her family.