Erma Hoppe
Erma H. Hoppe, of Whitefish, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 4, 2008. She passed away as a result of congestive heart failure. She resided at Colonial Manor for the past year.
Erma was born Nov. 9, 1918, on a rural farm southwest of Sherwood, N.D., the youngest of six children born to Wilhelm and Hannah Schwabe.
She attended Prosperity Elementary School and graduated from Sherwood High School in May 1937. That fall, she entered Trinity Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in the fall 1940, and then receiving her registered nursing degree through the state board exams. She was employed at Trinity Hospital before joining her classmates, who were employed at Deaconess Hospital in Havre.
She was married to Bill Hoppe on March 4, 1942, in Havre. Two weeks after their wedding, Bill was inducted in the Army. He joined Erma and the family after being discharged from the Army at the end of World War II, and they continued to live in Havre until they moved to Martin City in July 1946.
Erma loved her flower gardens, and many passing by would have to stop and admire them. She was well known in the Canyon for her Hoppe's poppies. She loved to participate in square dancing activities and picked many huckleberries over the years.
When the new highway was built through the Canyon, the state bought their property, and in 1974, they moved to Whitefish. Erma worked at Colonial Manor as the director of nurses from 1973-79.
She was an active member of the Lutheran Church Missouri-Synod and was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls for the past 51 years. She taught Sunday School for many years and held Bible studies in her home. Her Christian faith was of great comfort to her, and she witnessed to many.
Erma took up oil paints upon her retirement, creating beautiful landscapes. She was also skilled at all types of needlework. Over the years, she made dozens of stocking hats and mittens for children in need in the Flathead. She held a weekly sewing club with her friends for years in her home. Family members and friends were the lucky recipients of her beautiful work.
She is preceded in death by her husband Bill; her parents; her daughter Marcia; her granddaughter Marie; and siblings Louie, Minnie, Chris, Hans and Lillian.
Erma is survived by her son Bill Hoppe and daughter-in-law Peggy, of Columbia Falls; daughter Janet Cash and husband Jim, of Missoula; son-in-law Darol Longacre, of Frenchtown; granddaughter Gail Baker; grandson Stephen Megaard and wife Cassie; great grandchildren Tyler and Brittney Webb, Kali and Alex Baker, and Austin and Megan Megaard; brothers-in-law Frank, of Havre, and Walter, of Spokane, Wash.; sister-in-law Ethel Schwabe, of North Dakota; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held for Erma at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls on Saturday, June 14, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Matt Nelson officiating.
The family suggests memorials be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 2005, Columbia Falls MT 59912.