She married Wayne Wieland of Bay City, MI in 1956. He preceded her in death on December 27, 2007.
The couple adopted three children, who survive her: Todd of Baxter, TN, Robyn and Tim Feucht of Edelstein, IL, and Amy and Kyle Hayes of Makanda, IL.
The two most precious words in Erma’s life were “Grandma” and “Nana.” Her grandchildren, Brittany Lyons, Larissa (Tristan) Herrmann, Cassie (Adam) Graf, Jacob (Hannah) Feucht, Autumn Wieland and Bailen Hayes were the lights of her life.
When Bradley, Parker, Remington, Cedar, Sonora, Audyn and Celie started calling her “Nana,” it brought her joy only great-grandchildren can provide. She greatly anticipated the birth of 2 additional great grandchildren in 2024.
One of nine children of Joe and Nettie (Young) Clauss of Cissna Park, IL, she grew up on the farm during Depression Era America. These experiences forged a bond with her siblings that lasted her entire life.
Three of her sisters remain: Lois Beer, Caroline Sever and Dottie Holmes. She is also survived by five sisters-in-law, Joanne Clauss, Karen Clauss, Gloria Clauss, Elaine Wieland and Lou Ann Wieland.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, 5 brothers-in-law, and 1 sister-in-law, Vernon Clauss, Jerry Clauss, Earl Clauss, Betty (Edward) Feller, Lorna Clauss, Frank Beer, Don Holmes, Merle Wieland, Don Wieland, and Florence Wieland.
Wayne and Erma moved from Bay City to Peoria in 1974 and considered the Central Illinois area their true home.
A lifelong member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Erma enjoyed the support and fellowship of her church family until her final day.
She approached her passions with dedication and resolve. She was a certified Master Gardener, a longtime member of the Peoria Garden Club and a volunteer at Luthy Botanical Gardens.
She loved music and art, as she and Wayne attended performances of Handel’s Messiah every year. She sang soprano, then alto as her voice aged, in the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church choir.
Although she was a girl from the country, she loved to travel, enjoying tours to Europe, the Middle East and all over the continental US and Canada.
She was a Black Belt in rolled pancake making and reached elite levels of grilled cheese construction. Her secret superpower was making perfect Christmas Poppers (Google that at your own peril; spoiler alert, there are toilet paper rolls involved).
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church, 3420 Sheridan Rd, Peoria, IL. The church ministers will officiate. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Peoria Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery in Edwards.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday April 10, 2024 at the Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, 2408 W Willow Knolls Dr, Peoria and 9:00 to 9:45 AM Thursday at the church.
The family would like to extend its sincerest thanks to the incredible CNAs, nurses and administrative staff at AC Skylines and to the kind, helpful professionals of Transitions Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to AC Skylines or The Ashes to Glory Foundation, which assists families who are unable to afford quality treatment for members suffering from addictions (ashestogloryfoundation.org/donate).
Condolences and memories may be shared through Woolsey-Wilton.com
DONATIONS
AC Skylines or The Ashes to Glory Foundation, which assists families who are unable to afford quality treatment for members suffering from addictions (ashestogloryfoundation.org/donate)
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