Erma Streeter Hosmer

Erma was the 9th of 14 children of Claude Monroe and Mattie Graham Streeter. Born and raised in Modesto, Erma attended Modesto city schools and graduated from Modesto High School in 1946. She married Loren Wayne Hosmer on December 30,1945, and together they enjoyed 67 years of marriage before Loren's passing in 2013.

Erma was a loving woman who was also well-loved by her family and friends. She had a positive attitude and shined her light wherever she went. She greeted everyone with a hug, never knew a stranger, loved a good laugh, and lived by the motto "there's always room for one more". Most of all, she loved her family deeply and unconditionally and raised 8 children and 3 grandchildren.

From the age of seven through her teenage years, she took dance lessons from Bette Belle Anderson Smith where she performed in many dance recitals with her siblings. She got to entertain all over the state. Her most recent dance recital was in June 2022. In 2004 Erma wrote "I still have my last pair of tap shoes which are over 60 years old. When I put them on my feet, they remember how to dance!"

Erma spent nearly her entire life involved in civic organizations. Besides being a homemaker, Erma worked for Blewett's Ice Cream Parlor, Newberry's, The Pacific Can Company, Capitol Door Sales and the US Census Bureau. She performed numerous hours of volunteer work through her civic connections and was a devoted member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Modesto.

Loren and Erma's retirement years were spent motor-homing throughout the US and Canada as well as international travel to Australia, Mexico, Canada, Italy and England. They attended innumerable graduations, recitals, performances, weddings, and birthday celebrations of their numerous and still expanding extended family.

Erma is survived by daughter Shirley Wagoner (Ed) of Springfield, OR; daughter Sylvia McKee (Jack) of Kinnear, WY; daughter Carole Ridgely (Scott) of Modesto, CA; son David Hosmer (Liz) of Modesto, CA; daughter Mary Churley of San Diego, CA; daughter Laverta Dauterman (Joel) of Sammamish, WA; son Bradley Hosmer (Heather) of Dupont, WA; 29 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, sister Fern Ingwerson and brother LaVerne Streeter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Loren, her daughter Nancy Smith, her grandson Jason Boyd, her sisters Norma, Peggy, Musetta & Maxine, and her brothers Wayne, LeRoy, Lowell, Kenneth, Bud, Jerry & Glen.

A celebration of Erma's life will be held at the Masonic Center of Modesto, 800 Rose Ave, Modesto, CA 95355 on Sunday November 20th at 2:00. All who knew Erma are welcome