Erma J. Hegenbarth

1941 - 2025

Erma J. Hegenbarth

January 22, 1941 - August 26, 2025

Erma Jean Hegenbarth, age 84 of Eau Claire, died on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

Erma was born January 22, 1941, in Amery, Wisconsin. She grew up on a dairy farm and graduated from Unity High School in 1959. The four years she spent at what is now the University of Wisconsin-River Falls was an intense period of personal growth, discovery, and intellectual expansion. She became acquainted with many wonderful people, including her husband Oz, whom she met in a physics class. They married on June 4, 1966, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Centuria. Erma taught high school mathematics and physics for two years at Webster and one year at Mondovi. In 1967 Erma and Oz moved to Eau Claire where she started a full-time career as homemaker and parent, with Christine born in 1968. She continued her studies in the summers and in 1971 earned her Master of Science in Teaching from River Falls. In 1973 David was born, and shortly after she and Oz bought a five-acre field of corn stubble south of Eau Claire and built their home. Meticulously planting trees, many from seed, and tending productive gardens, the property gradually became a small nature preserve. As an avid craftsperson, Erma dabbled with oil painting, macrame, and stained glasswork. Quilting is where she focused most of her creative efforts and she created dozens of quilts for family and charity. Each of four grandchildren received at least three handmade baby quilts and a bed quilt. After Oz retired the two traveled with the family pop-up camper on monthlong trips each fall to hike in National Parks and other campgrounds mostly in Western regions of the United States. Finding the illusive Lake Superior agate to add to her ever-growing collection was a lifelong passion.

Erma is survived by her husband of 59 years, Oz; children, Christine Hegenbarth (Peter McClelland), David Hegenbarth (Heidi); grandchildren, Arlan Hegenbarth, Morgan McClelland, Milo McClelland, and Braden Hegenbarth; sister, Melba Denotter; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Valeria Michaelson, and brother, Gerald Michaelson.

A memorial service for Erma will take place at 3 pm on Friday, September 12, 2025 at Hulke Family Funeral Home with Father Dan Oudenhoven officiating. Visitation will take place that day at the funeral home from 2 pm until the time of service. Inurnment will take place at 4:30 pm that afternoon in the Chapel of the Resurrection Mausoleum at the Calvary Cemetery in Eau Claire.

The family wishes to express sincere appreciation for the care Erma received through the Mayo Clinic Health Care System and for the dozens of anonymous blood donors whose gift allowed her to have this past year.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in Erma's name to the UW-River Falls Foundation (118 North Hall, 410 S. 3rd St., River Falls, WI 54022).

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com. Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.