Erma Brandt

Erma Nell Brandt, age 79, of Elizabeth, Illinois, died on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at the Elizabeth Nursing Facility. A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 5, 2009 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, with Reverend Harvey Nicholson officiating. Burial will take place in the Elizabeth Cemetery. A Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be given to the family in Erma’s memory.

Erma was born on April 15, 1930, the daughter of Elmer and Bonnie Mae (Saunders) Burk, in Des Moines, Iowa. She attended Des Moines area schools. Erma married Cletus Charles Brandt on December 31, 1946, in Schapville, Illinois. Cletus died on March 15, 1995.

Erma was employed by the Amerock Corporation in Machesney Park, Illinois, for nine years. She was a top award-winning Avon saleswoman for over thirty years. Erma was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, and a former member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Machesney Park. Erma enjoyed playing Bingo, Euchre, and shopping. She loved animals, especially raccoons, which she collected. Most of all, Erma cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Erma is survived by three daughters; Linda (Bob) Schuepbach of Machesney Park, Illinois, Bonnie (Phil) Johnson of Machesney Park, Illinois, and Cindy Dunn of Hanover, Illinois; six grandchildren, Bobbie Camacho, Jared Schuepbach, Tad (Cassie) Schuepbach, Crissa (Chris) Lord, Phillip B. Johnson, and Charles P. Johnson; four great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Camacho, and Carson, Cailyn, Camden Lord; two brothers, Larry Burk of Des Moines, Iowa and Leon Burk of Portland, Oregon; and numerous nieces and nephews. Erma is preceded in death by her husband, Cletus; ten brothers and sisters; and one son-in-law, Danny Dunn.

Erma’s family would like the give a special thanks to the Elizabeth Nursing Facility and staff for the wonderful care that Erma received during her stay.