Erma Ivan Evans

Erma Evans, 91, of Crandon, Wisconsin, died at home, surrounded by friends and family, on February 23, 2026.

Erma was born in Key, Kentucky, and moved to Crandon when she was four years old. She graduated from Crandon High School. After high school, she moved to Waukegan, IL, where she met her first husband and started a family.

After marrying Jack in 1976, they lived on Staples Lake in Danbury for many years before relocating and spending winters in Arkansas. They also spent many cherished years at their beloved Bishop Lake cabin in Mole Lake.

Erma worked at a laundromat, an egg factory, and as a food sampler at Welton's. She enjoyed fishing, playing cards, gardening, watching birds, playing Facebook games, and posting on Facebook. She enjoyed visiting Flowers from the Heart with her good friend Bruce Walentowski, browsing the Nashville Flea Market and local farmers markets, and she often joked that her car always pulled into Mole Lake Casino on its own. She also found great joy in owning her resale store, The Junktique, in Waukegan, IL. Once she could no longer get out, she happily ordered from Temu and Amazon to her heart's content.

She is survived by her daughters, Georgia (Steve) Hoenig and Glenda (Ron) Penrose; her son, George (Lori) Groat; bonus daughter, Connie (Larry) Alsteen; special niece, Irene Pagel; cousin and best friend, Karen Jarvenpaa; brother, Hiram (Dolly) Haney; sister-in-law, Lorraine Gross; grandchildren, Jason (Shanda), Stephanie, and Laura Grace Hoenig; Aaron (Natalie) Tonyan and Jim (Kim) Tonyan; Jessica (Jacob) Putz; Joleen (Kenny) Hakes; Jesse (Brittney) Novotny; Jacob (Sienna) Miller; Jazmyn (Michael) Schumitsch; and John Groat; great-grandchildren, Cody (Jada) Hoenig; Austen (Jessica) Hoenig; Jaycie Hoenig; Bailey Hoenig; Joey (Samantha) Rivelli; Autumn Rivelli; Myla Patterson; Kora and Ella Tonyan; Cassidy Harkin Tonyan; Lincoln and Alexandria Novotny; Kristy and Wyatt Hakes; Thomas Schumitsch; and great-great-grandson, Kamden Hoenig.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Evans; first husband, George Groat Sr.; mother, Grace Haney; father, Thomas Gross; grandson, Michael Hoenig; brothers, Phenton Gross, Quenton (Bernice) Gross, George (Donna) Gross, and Earl (Carla) Gross; sisters, Joy (Andy) Davidson and Nona Sears; and nephew, Earl Gross Jr.

The family would like to thank Compassus Hospice for the loving care they provided to Erma and her family.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a donation to the Forest County Humane Society, 701 Industrial Park Way, Crandon, WI 54520.

Per Erma's wishes there will be no services.