Erma L. Swartzendruber

Erma Laura Swartzendruber, age 99 of Pigeon, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at Scheurer Hospital in Pigeon.

She was born October 20, 1913 in Centralia, Missouri, the daughter of Henry A. and Barbara (Guengerich) Yoder. She grew up in Parnell, Iowa and attended West Union Mennonite Church, where she was united in marriage to Glenn Swartzendruber on December 18, 1938. The couple moved to Pigeon where Glenn farmed and was a dairyman and beekeeper. The couple had been married 68 years when Glenn passed away on May 2, 2007.

Erma was a homemaker, wonderful cook, and fine seamstress and quilter. She donated many quilts over the years to the Michigan Relief Sale in Fairview. She also helped the Pigeon River quilters work on a quilt for Paul Harvey. She was an avid reader. Erma loved gardening and was always sending away for new varieties of seeds. She was a helpmate to Glenn on the farm, milking cows, driving tractor, and extracting honey from the beehives. She was the oldest member of Pigeon River Mennonite Church, Pigeon.

Short in stature, Erma rose above everything and was "big" in heart with love for her Lord, her friends, and especially for her family.

She is survived by two sons, Lowell "Pete" (Cathern Noakes) Swartzendruber of Sebewaing and Clarence Swartzendruber of Pigeon; six grandchildren: Jenny (Gary) Cygan, Jonathan Eric Swartzendruber, Laura Ewald, Lisa (Don) Kosinski, Jeff Swartzendruber, and Shannon (Morgan) Swartzendruber; 11 great-grandchildren: Sarah (Matthew), Danielle (Jason), Lucas, Justine, Kayla, DaKota, Jordan, Seth, Nathan, Landon, and Braden; two great great-grandsons, Colton and Cordin; sister, Esther Steckley of Pigeon; brother, Orville (Geneva) Yoder of Hampton, Virginia; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by siblings Susan Ellen Yoder, Loise Swartzendruber, Ralph Yoder, Raymond Yoder, Jacob Yoder, and Francis H. Yoder.

The Funeral Service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2013 at Pigeon River Mennonite Church, Pigeon, with Rev. Alvin Yoder, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Pigeon River Mennonite Church or the Gideons.


VISITATION AT PIGEON RIVER MENNONITE CHURCH:
Sunday, March 31 3 - 8 p.m.
Monday, April 1 10 - 11 a.m.