Erma Ruth (Monroe) Todd was born to parents, Texas Jack Monroe and Grace Ella (Stephens) Monroe on March 29, 1927, at the Cherry County Hospital in Valentine, Nebraska. Her life came to an end there as well when Erma entered Heaven August 2, 2021, at the age of 94 years.
At the time of Erma’s birth, her mother filled out the birth certificate at the hospital with Irma Grace Monroe. Once home, her father changed it to Erma Ruth. The certificate was never changed, but she continued to use her father’s choice. Surprisingly, this disparity never caused a problem. In addition, her father chose her childhood nickname of Tootie, which some used into her adulthood.
Erma’s childhood years began on the family farm at Sparks, Nebraska, as the Great Depression was taking form. There were six Monroe children, and Erma was in the group of the youngest three, which also included Milly and Jack. These three helped their father with chores and spent hours in imaginary play. The story heard most frequently was that these siblings would have sticks they threw upon the slanted roof of the chicken coup. When any would miraculously stay up there, the kids said they went to Heaven. When the majority fell back down, it was well-known these went to live with the devil. In tribute, on Milly’s gravestone, there are the words, “And they all went to Heaven.” Sticks were also used as cattle. When their father branded, the three “branded” their sticks. When their father counted his herd, they counted their stick cattle on the side of the hill. In addition, the kids had invisible friends they named Lewkey Lawkey, Yor Ya Lawten and Jack’s being Fred Burton. These children flourished with the help of their father and their imaginations during difficult days. With these good memories, Erma always said she could have easily been raised in the barn with the cattle. Erma loved the cows and the three children always gave them names, including Ferdinand and Elsie Belle.
Erma remembers her oldest sister, Hazel, sewing dresses for the younger girls. She said she was to stand on the table and hold extremely still, seemingly an eternity, while Hazel traced around her to create a pattern. She also remembers Marjorie liking housework and making wonderful doughnuts, while Elmer helped with the farming and had the ability to gently calm a horse which her father could not.
Erma attended school with siblings at the Pleasant Valley School, District 28, in Sparks, Nebraska, about ¾ mile from the family home, often walking there together with cousins. Marjorie, Milly and Erma boarded together in Valentine when attending high school. Erma was devastated when her beloved father died at age 57 from a kidney disease when she was only 14 years of age. She adored her father and often spoke of his affectionate personality and how she loved the time she spent with him. Erma was deeply impacted by this loss. Erma said her mother was a gentle soul who worked so hard, but her father was the one who was able to show great affection. She would always kiss him goodnight before going to bed.
After high school graduation, Erma taught school at the Osborn School, District 5, at Sparks, saying she learned more than the children. She lived with her mother and drove the family pickup to and from the school just a few miles away. Erma spoke of the time she took the children to the Niobrara River which was not far away. She said her innocence allowed her to not worry about the children as they played in the river. Erma described how she became horrified several years later at the thought of what could have happened.
Erma married her high school sweetheart, Robert Thompson Todd, on September, 28, 1946, after he returned home from serving in the Navy during World War II. She continued teaching another year, then becoming a homemaker and mother to her first child, Steven, on Valentine’s Day in Valentine in 1948. The couple built their first home on Macomb Street during that time, and Erma lived there for over 70 years. Being a mother was her greatest joy, giving birth to six children, Steven Robert, Connie Eileen, Larry Merl, LeAnne Beth, Michael Lee and Diedre Anne. LeAnne died from flu-like symptoms at the age of 16 months. It was during this time that Erma’s faith became so strong and she depended upon God’s promises to get her through the grief.
Robert was a self-taught photographer and Erma began developing the photos when it became a side-line business. They created a darkroom in the basement and Christmas cards and wedding photos kept them busy. The living room closet doors, used as a backdrop, were found in numerous local families’ Christmas cards for years. In later years, Erma began altering clothes and became quite an expert. Not only could she do a great job with minor hems, she could beautifully alter prom and multi-layered wedding dresses. When the church needed a seamstress to create the huge banners that now hang from the lofty ceilings, Erma offered her talents. What joy we find when walking down those aisles and seeing the efforts of our dear mama.
Erma didn’t join groups easily but she did attend Bible studies for over 40 years. She and Robert were members of the Valentine United Methodist Church and attended Sunday School, with Erma also being part of the prayer chain team. She was a great prayer warrior and many counted on her when prayers were needed. Erma’s 20-minute prayers, said aloud, could be heard each night behind bedroom doors. She had also become active in the Right to Life organization when a close friend and neighbor encouraged her to join. Erma found satisfaction there being so adamant that a baby created by God Himself should be given life. She and Robert were also instrumental in helping get the elementary school bond passed many years ago.
Erma was a great cook and she enjoyed hosting numerous holiday feasts each year and did so into her late 80’s. She also began the enormous undertaking of baking hundreds of goodies and mailing out numerous boxes to family members each Christmas for over 30 years. This tradition ended only three or four years ago.
Erma endured the loss of a second child, Steve, a year and a half ago on October 20, 2019. Although in extreme grief, she once again showed great faith and agreed that the events preceding that time had been beautifully orchestrated by God. She had spent an evening with Steve and Colleen enjoying their special conversations, traveled with them to granddaughter Lindsay’s wedding in Lincoln, and then attended a reception at the Cornhusker Hotel. Just hours later, her precious first child left this world peacefully in the night beside his wife and with many family members found throughout the hotel. Being surrounded by loved ones that day brought this beloved mother great comfort. She went on to say that her Steve was walking the golden streets of Heaven with his little sister.
Erma’s great strength came from her strong Christian faith, and she often and humbly revealed her kindness and generosity. When asked recently what she would want her loved ones to know, she said she wanted all to believe in Jesus as Savior. She knew this is the ONLY WAY to Heaven and she wanted ALL of us there with her for eternity. Erma had yearned to be HOME for several years and what JOY when she finally met her Savior as she entered those gates of Heaven. God’s first Words to her? Probably, “Well done, good and faithful one.”
Erma was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, infant daughter, LeAnne Beth, son Stephen Robert, grandson Brian James Todd, great-grandson Coltin Michael Todd, brothers Elmer Monroe and Jack Monroe, and sisters Hazel Minshall, Marjorie Green, and Mildred Sherman.
Erma is survived by her daughter-in-law, Colleen Todd of Grand Island, and children Connie (Marty) Scherzberg of Papillion, Larry (Lisa) of Rockledge, Florida, Michael of Lincoln, and Diedre (Rusty) Markus of Valentine, grandchildren Lance (Lori) Todd of Staplehurst, Damien (Stephanie) Todd of Kearney, Aaron (Libby) Todd of Grand Island, Brandon Scherzberg of Papillion, Jeffrey (Kathi) Scherzberg of Omaha, Brett Scherzberg of Lincoln, Matthew (Megan) Scherzberg of Aurora, Colorado, Justin (Elaina) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Lori Todd of Omaha, Gregory Todd of North Platte, Lindsay (Chad) Bauer of Lincoln, Nathan Todd of Lincoln, Lacey (Drew) Luebe of Columbus and Ryan (Dawn) Markus of Papillion. Great-grandchildren include Shelby (Elijah) Shaunamann, Audrey and Tanner Todd, Landon and Dalton Todd, Emerson and Oakley Todd, Sabrina and Garrett Scherzberg, Rowan and Kayden Scherzberg, Nona and Aiden Scherzberg, Theo Bauer, Maddie, Brice and Baker Luebe and Grace and Ella Markus, sisters-in-law Pat Monroe of Sparks and Maxine Todd of San Lorenzo, California, and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held at the Valentine United Methodist Church on Saturday, August 6, 2021, at 10 AM. Burial followed at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of service arrangements.