Erma Sophia Boerner, 98

Erma Sophia Boerner "peacefully joined her Heavenly Father" on Thursday, March 31, 2005, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, at the age of 98.

She was born in Bryan, Ohio, on Dec. 3, 1906, one of 11 children to Fredrick and Ida Mae (Lehman) Neidhardt. Erma's family moved to Cut Bank, where her father owned and operated a butcher shop. Erma's mother was an assistant to the local midwife.

Erma met her husband, Otto, in Cut Bank, where they were married and resided for several years. They moved with their four children to Great Falls, and had two more children while Otto worked for Great Northern Railroad. Erma did child care, bakery work and other jobs while raising her six children. Erma and her children were able to occasionally travel via Great Northern Railroad during Otto's employment with the railroad.

After Otto's retirement, the couple occasionally traveled as well, to visit their children and family. Erma and Otto moved to Lakeside, and built their own home. They had a bountiful garden, and cherry and apple trees. Erma enjoyed canning, tending her flower gardens and wild birds. She canned fruit and peaches and Otto canned pickles and sauerkraut.

She will be remembered for her warm smile, kind heart and love she extended to all those who visited her at her home in Lakeside. "She has given us beautiful and wonderful memories. We will miss her very much."

Erma was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings.

She is survived by her six children, Agnes Mae Thompson and Alvwert Fredrich Boerner and wife, Adath, all of Lakeside, Esther Jesse Munoz and husband, Chao, of Brownsville, Texas, Irene Mildred Armitage of Beevill, Texas, Gerald Maynard Boerner and wife, Linda, of Great Falls, and Patricia Jane Viles of Portland; one brother, Hank Neidhardt and wife, Joann, of Cut Bank; and one sister, Edna Hendriksen of Lakeside.

A memorial service for Erma Boerner was held 3 p.m. on Monday, April 4, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, where there were graveside services and also urn burial.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory was caring for Erma's family.