ERLA JEANNE COULSTON

Erla Jean Martin Coulston, daughter of Earl and Eva Joy Nielson Martin of Altadena California, was born on January 5th, 1928 in Anaheim, Orange County California. She grew up in Rosemead, El Monte, and Altadena. Her father ran one of the first water companies in the San Gabriel Valley. Her mother was an art teacher and artist. In fact, Erla comes from a long line of artists. She had one sibling, her sister, Julia Joy Martin Astle. Erla attended high school during the war years and always fondly remembered hitch hiking up and down the hill to and from her schools, Elliot Junior High and Pasadena Junior College. As a Girl Scout she loved riding horses in the riverbed in El Monte. When the family moved to Altadena, Erla felt that same joy. The family's beautiful house in Altadena was destroyed in the last big fire storm. This saddened her greatly.

Erla received her bachelor's degree from University of Southern California in Home Economics. She was a member of the Tri Delt Sorority. She made many life long friends during that time. Erla met her future husband, John ("Jack") Cory Coulston in September 1950. He was a World War II veteran, Lieutenant in the United States Cavalry, and a Captain in the 18th Corps Airborne of the United States Army. The minute she saw him she knew they would be married, and in fact they were married on March 25,1951. Jack worked in agriculture after leaving the armed services. They lived many years in Camarillo California and then moved to Bakersfield California in 1972. They had eight children: Cory, Peter, Casey (stillborn), Sheila, Karen, Lisa, Tom, and Luci.

She and Jack built a house in Baja California and enjoyed vacationing there. They also enjoyed skiing at their condo in Mammoth Mountain where the whole family had seasons passes for several years.

Erla was a lifelong devoted member of the LDS Church. She played the organ for the Bakersfield 5th Ward. She was very creative and had an eye for beauty. She attended many classes all over the United States where she learned ceramics, basket weaving, photography, fabric weaving, quilting, and painting. She enjoyed being a member of Toast Masters. Traveling was her passion and she traveled the world extensively. Sometimes she and Jack travelled together and sometimes she travelled with friends and/or her children. She loved Elder Hostel and the Friendship League where she met people from all over the world. She particularly enjoyed visiting two of her children, Lisa and Luci, who married Aussies and live in Australia. She loved her home in Bakersfield. She adored animals and loved all her pets, cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, and even a pig that Karen found and Erla allowed in the house. Nothing perked her up like her children.

She spent her final 3 years at St. Catherine's Home Care in Bakersfield where she received excellent and affectionate care. Erla composed poetry and songs and even designed clothing when she could not sleep while bed ridden. She was incredibly strong and rallied frequently from many health issues. Friends and family visited her often.

She died on Wednesday, August 14, 2025 at 6am. Jack predeceased her on March 1, 2008. She was also predeceased by her parents and sister. She is survived by all 7 children, 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She will be laid to rest next to her husband.

Viewing

Wednesday, August 20, 6-8 PM at Kern River Family Mortuary, 1900 North Chester Avenue, Bakersfield

Graveside Service

Thursday, August 21, 10 AM Hillcrest Memorial Park 9101 Kern Canyon Rd Bakersfield.

We waved goodbye from this shore and hope that she is greeted on the other shore by all her loved ones who went before her. She will be missed by all.