Erma Mina Rummel

Erma Mina Rummel, age 95, of Sebewaing, fulfilled her lifelong dream of entering Heaven's gate on the morning of Sunday, May 15, 2022.

She was born in Detroit on July 5, 1926 to George and Mina Kilgus.  Her family re-located to Sebewaing in 1933 to open a tailor and dry cleaning shop.  In her early years, Erma attended Immanuel Lutheran School where she met the love of her life, Carl, who happily declared to his parents that "there is a new girl in school who wears white stockings" and their romance was off and running.

As Erma was finishing high school in 1944, one of her teachers was so impressed with her that she arranged for a one-year scholarship to attend Central Michigan University.  After two years at CMU, Sebewaing Public School's Superintendent asked Erma to "take a temporary leave from CMU" to fill the unfilled teaching position of 5 ^th and 6 ^th grade.  She agreed and this was the beginning of a 30+ year teaching career that also included time at Immanuel Lutheran, Unionville Public School and Pigeon Public School.

Shortly after CMU, Carl Theodore Rummel proposed to Erma on Christmas 1946 and they married on August 22, 1947 at Immanuel.  Grandpa Rummel's German band kept the guests entertained at Erma's parent's home on Center Street in Sebewaing.  Their wedding night was spent at the old Wenonah Hotel in town and they honeymooned on Drummond Island.  Carl pre-deceased Erma on April 27, 2003.

After Erma and Carl became empty nesters, they opened Tree Haven Bed & Breakfast in their family home on Beck Street.  They thoroughly enjoyed meeting and hosting visitors to Sebewaing.  Coupled with Carl's love for serving as ice fishing / duck hunting guide and Erma's breakfasts of homemade granola and signature "Carl's Oatmeal" it was a perfect fit.  Between their brisk lodging business and Erma's penchant for volunteering (i.e. Adopt a Highway, Historical Society, Immanuel Church Choir, OWLS, Red Hatter's, Quilting, School Library Helper, Driver for the elderly to medical tests, etc.) they were ALWAYS busy.  Even after Carl's passing Erma was determined to continue Tree Haven B & B on her own because "there aren't any places for Sebewaing visitors to lodge".  True to form, she handled the role effortlessly for years.  In addition, her hobbies included reading, cross-stitching, bird watching, gardening, playing bridge and traveling.

An avid walker, Erma strolled around Sebewaing for years with her five-mile jaunts.  Even when she transitioned into Medallion Village (i.e. the old Sebewaing High School) she would "walk the halls" and right by the classrooms she taught in decades ago.  Other residents finally realized she wasn't lost – just couldn't sit still.  She always knew that if she kept moving old age wouldn't be able to catch her.

In her final years and in true Erma form, she realized the lifelong benefit of great health God provided her. Her primary purpose in life was to serve others in any way she could.  And, when she could no longer serve others, her wide-reaching community reached out to her.

With heartfelt appreciation Erma's family will be forever grateful to the many people within Sebewaing, Immanuel Lutheran Church and beyond for "looking out" for her and her daily well-being.  From power outages to fallen trees to weekly church bulletins along with the many cards, letters and visits, her circle of love, care and concern was unending and reassuring.  Right up until the last days when Christ sent his angel through Christine from Maple Ridge Manor to walk with Erma her last few steps, her journey was complete.

Erma and Carl were blessed with four children that survive them:  Dave (Susan) Rummel of Midland, Dan (Jerri) Rummel of Unionville, Amy (Jim) Wojciechowski of Manistee and Derek (Lynn) Rummel of Grand Rapids.  Additionally, they were blessed with five grandchildren: Jason, Krista, Danny, Jordan and Taylor, four great grandchildren: Hunter, Preston, Claire and Hadley.  Several nephews and nieces also survive her.  Erma is also survived by her sister Esther (Liz) Elsner.  Brothers Bruce and Gerhardt pre-deceased Erma.

Erma's memorial service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing at 11:00 a.m. on June 3, 2022.  Family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service.   For those who are unable to attend the memorial service in person it will also be live streamed.  The live stream can be accessed through the Immanuel Lutheran Church website (ilcmi.org….Listen/Watch link……View Facebook Live Stream).  Interment will be held at a later date as Erma has committed her body to Wayne State University for medical research.

For those looking to make a memorial contribution and in keeping with Erma's commitment to the Christian faith and education please consider Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Sebewaing Township Library or another charity of your choice.