Erma Boedeker

Erma Boedeker, born on Feb. 22, 1922 to Luther & Florence (Stephenson) Rush, the third of eight children, has passed into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 6, 2009, at the age of 86. She was a loving, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who blessed the lives of many and gave many a home and positive reinforcement at a needed time in their lives. Erma was responsible for the complete landscaping of Gordon Elementary in Bellaire, TX where both of her children attended. She patiently taught each and every child through the planting, caring, growth and blooming of the various beautiful trees, plants and flowers she maintained. She was a member of the Bellaire Garden Club and was deeply involved in volunteer work in her years in Houston and with the Women's Auxiliary at Burleson-St. Joseph Hospital Gift Shop, the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Erma was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Caldwell. Erma and her husband owned and operated Boedeker's Clothing in Caldwell, Texas. After her husband, Leonard's death, she continued to provide spiritual, emotional and any assistance she could to her family and many friends. She gave them her warm love and affection. Many, many children who were friends of her grandson, Adam, knew Erma affectionately as "Grannie". They all loved and enjoyed her stories and her homemade "grannie" burgers. She is survived by one daughter & son-in-law: Franceil & Bob Dodson; one grandson: Adam Dodson; one sister: Allene Starling; two sisters-in-law: Edna Brymer, Lee Doonan, two brothers-in-law: Jimmy Boedeker, Wayne Boedeker and their spouses; nieces and nephews: Mary Alice & Roy Rolison, Mary Ann & Donny Dupont, Charles Doonan, Randy Doonan, Dena Doonan Matcek, Jeana Doonan O'Brien, Holly Lyday, Sherry Smith, Judy Trujillo along with numerous other nieces, nephews, friends and relatives. She is further survived by her most dear and precious friends, Sue & Louis Smith, who have been a constant untiring stability for Erma. She is preceded in death by her parents, 5 sisters, 1 brother, son, Thomas Charles Linton and her beloved husband, Leonard Ray Boedeker. She is also preceded by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Charlie and Beatrice Boedeker; and brothers-in-law: Leo Stark, Lyndon Brymer and Harold Boedeker. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 9 at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell. The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 10 at Strickland Funeral Home with Pastor Todd Jordan officiating. Burial will follow in Chriesman Cemetery. Pallbearers include Melvin Smith, Buddy Smith, Charles Doonan, Alberto Trujillo, Randy Doonan and Jayson Lyday. Honorary pallbearers are Adam Dodson, Jimmy Boedeker, Wayne Boedeker, Roy Rolison, Louis Smith, Jimmy Urbanosky, Bob Doonan, Juan Ramon and A.W. Brewer. Memorials may be given to the First United Methodist Church of Caldwell. Her family would like to express their dearest love and apprecitation to "her girls", Sue, Cynthia, Wendy, Stacy, Evelyn, Kristy, and Doris for their constant love and care for Erma. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Strickland Funeral Home, 530 Hwy 36 South, Caldwell, TX.