Erma Ruby Andersen

1916 - 2012

Funeral services for Erma R. Andersen, 95, were conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. Interment was in the Exira Cemetery in Exira. The casket bearers were Jeff Andersen, Craig Andersen, Kyle Smalygo, Kent Smalygo, Kelly Smalygo, Bo Kuykendall and Steve Starnes. The Kessler Funeral Home in Exira was in charge of the arrangements.
Erma Ruby Andersen, the daughter of Chris and Dorothy Lauridsen Johnson, was born Nov. 2, 1916, at her parents' rural home northwest of Exira, and died March 8, 2012, at the Frances Streitel Villa in Collinsville, Okla., at the age of 95 years, 4 months, and 6 days.
Erma was baptized and confirmed at the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, on March 24, 1935. She attended rural school "Hamlin #5" south of Hamlin through eighth grade and then was employed as a hired girl for several families in the area.
On Dec. 1, 1936, Erma was united in marriage to William E. Andersen, Sr. in Shenandoah. Two children William E., Jr. and Janet were born to this union. They farmed northwest of Exira for several years, then farmed south of Brayton, and then finally farmed near Lorah. Erma helped Bill operate the farm, milking cows, raising chickens, and helping with all the activities on the farm. They retired from farming in 1959 and moved into Exira. They operated a meat locker for several years and Erma helped wrap the meat. They closed the meat locker. Erma worked as a cashier for the local grocery store for a short time. Bill operated a milk delivery service for Anderson-Erickson Dairy. Erma helped as the bookkeeper and also helped deliver the milk. Also during this time, Erma did the laundry for the Exira Care Center in Exira. Later Erma cleaned the Doctor's office and several private homes until she retired. Bill died Feb. 22, 1993. Erma continued to live in Exira until May 1, 2007, when she moved to the Frances Streitel Villa assisted living in Collinsville, Okla., to be near her daughter Janet and her family.
Erma was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira and was active in the Lydia Circle. She enjoyed playing cards and belonged to several card clubs. She enjoyed crocheting and doing handy work, but most of all she enjoyed being with her family and friends.
Erma was preceded in death by her husband William E. Andersen, Sr.; her son William E. Andersen, Jr.; her son-in-law Millard Smalygo; her brother Milo and wife Christina Johnson; her sister Violet and husband Frosig Poulsen; her brothers-in-law Lars Andersen, Art Andersen, Holger Andersen, Marinus Andersen, and Chris and wife Agnes Andersen; and her sister-in-law Christine and husband Donald Eddy.
Survivors include her daughter Janet Smalygo of Collinsville, Okla.; her daughter-in-law Karan and husband Johnny Walker of Las Vegas, Nev.; her grandchildren Jeff Andersen, Craig and wife Brenda Andersen, Julie and husband Steve Starnes all of Cedar Rapids, Kristin and husband Bo Kuykendall, Kyle and wife Megan Smalygo, Kent Smalygo all of Collinsville, and Kelly and wife Angela Smalygo of Claremore, Okla.; her grandchildren Jon and Robbie Andersen both of Cedar Rapids, Sam and Will Starnes both of Cedar Rapids, Chandee, Cole, and Braytin Kuykendall all of Collinsville, Gracen and Millie Smalygo, Preslea and Ciara Smalygo all of Collinsville, and Jenna Smalygo of Claremore, her sister Vera Andersen of Audubon; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.