Hertha Erma Houston

Hertha Erma Houston, 89, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 26, 2017, at Baldwin Healthcare & Rehabilitation. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, April 3, 2017, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Family will meet with friends from 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., Sunday, April 2, 2017, at the mortuary. Interment Mount Zion Cemetery, Vassar. Erma was born Sunday, July 24, 1927, in Germany, the daughter of Max and Anna (Bachert) Schumann. As a small child, Erma came to the U.S. in 1930, growing up near Vassar, Kansas. Erma married Carl W. Houston May 18, 1947, in Ottawa. He preceded her in death on October 31, 1978. She was also preceded in death by her infant son, Carl Max Houston; parents, Max and Anna Schumann; and brother, Gary K. Schumann. Survivors include her son, John Houston and wife Sue of Ottawa; daughter, Cindy Griffin and husband Gary also of Ottawa; sister, Gertrude Shumate of Ottawa; seven grandchildren; and seventeen great grandchildren. Erma was a lifelong active church member. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Vassar; Appanoose Baptist Church; and later joined North Baptist Church, Ottawa. She was employed as an Avon Lady for many years and worked as a bow operator at Hallmark Cards in Lawrence. Erma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, long walks with her daughter Cindy, and spent many hours with her granddaughter, Tammy Letts. Erma will be remembered for her boundless energy and sunny disposition. The family suggests memorial contributions to North Baptist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Erma’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com