Erma Arvilla Rupp Fritchen

1930 - 2015

Erma Arvilla Rupp Fritchen

Erma Arvilla Rupp born October 9, 1930 was born and raised here in Reno Nevada. She attended Orvis Ring and Anderson Elementary, Billinghurst Middle School and graduated from the old Reno High School.

As a child she had two dreams, one to be a mother, and the other to be a teacher. She fulfilled both dreams by having 5 sons and later getting a teachers degree at University of Nevada Reno, and teaching special needs children for over 20 years.

Immediately after graduation she married Les Churchfield and had two sons, Richard and Gerald. Following that marriage she married Walter Fritchen and had three more sons, Michael, Dale, and Eric.

Prior to her teaching career, Erma worked as a Keno Runner and later as a manager of the Nugget Annex. She was very active in community affairs as a strong advocate for the poor and needy her whole life. Erma was a teacher for 21 years and retired to live in Sparks Nevada until her passing on July 20, 2015.

Erma was preceded in death by her son Gerry Churchfield. She is survived by her sons Richard Churchfield of Yerington Nevada, Michael Fritchen of Salt Lake City Utah, Dale Fritchen of Stockton California and Eric Fritchen of Scottsdale Arizona. As well as several grand and great grandchildren.

A memorial services will be held at Sparks United Methodist Church at 1231 Pyramid Way in Sparks on Saturday July 25 at 10:00 am.