Erma June Fortkamp

Erma June Fortkamp

June 7, 1927 - Oct. 2, 2019

McCOOK, Neb. — Erma June Fortkamp was born June 7, 1927, in rural Dundy County, Neb., to Ben and Fanny (Duhm) Donze. Erma was baptized and confirmed in the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1946.

On Feb. 14, 1951, she was united in marriage to Martin Fortkamp in Wauneta. To this union two children were born, son, Duane and daughter, Gayla. They made their home on their farm in Hayes County, Neb., until their retirement in 1990 and they moved to Wauneta. In March 2011, Martin and Erma moved to Brookdale Senior Living Community in McCook, Neb. Erma and Martin moved in 2018 to Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook.

Before marriage, Erma worked as a grocery store clerk in Wauneta. During her life, Erma enjoyed being a member of the Lutheran Church. She was an officer in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, attended Ladies Aide and bible study groups and her pastimes were reading, playing cards and visiting with family and friends.

Erma was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Palisade, Neb., until retirement and was then a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta.

Erma passed away and entered her eternal home Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was 92 years of age.

Erma was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Fanny (Duhm) (Donze) Maris and step-father, Frank Maris; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, William Fortkamp and wife, Ada, John Fortkamp and wife, Anna, Fredrick Fortkamp and wife, Merle, Ervin Fortkamp and wife, Viola, Albert Fortkamp, Emil Fortkamp and wife, Opal, Arthur Fortkamp, Laverne Fortkamp, Hilda (Fortkamp) Roschewski and husband, William, Velma (Fortkamp) Doetker and husband, Albert and Violet (Fortkamp) Long and husband, Wendell.

Erma is survived by her husband, Martin of McCook; her two children, son, Duane Fortkamp and wife, Patricia of McCook and daughter, Gayla Swisher and husband, Steve of McCook; four grandchildren, Michael (Jeanette) Fortkamp of Ponca City, Okla., Kathy (Kyle) Smidt of Kearney, Neb., Sarah (Brandi) Lister of Norwalk, Iowa, and David Swisher of Gunnison, Colo.; seven great-grandchildren, Matthew Fortkamp, Morgan Fortkamp, Marcus Fortkamp, Kourtney Lovelady, Ashlyn Smidt, Wyatt Smidt and Emma Lister; her sister-in-law, Nina Fortkamp; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be Monday morning, Oct. 7, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. (MT), at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauneta with Pastor Keith Wellman officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Wauneta.

Visitation will be Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2019, from 2-6 p.m. (MT), at Liewer Funeral Home in Wauneta.

A memorial has been established to Redeemer Lutheran Church of Wauneta.

Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.

Liewer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements