Ermyl was born November 3, 1923 to Chester Samuel Kipple and Ermyl Ione (Nash) Kipple in Craig, Colorado, along with brother James, sister Georgia, and sister Betty.
Ermyl went to school in Craig, then to Gentry, Arkansas and finally to Salem, Oregon. She attended college for one year at Western Oregon University - then Oregon College of Education in Monmouth, Oregon, before marrying Howard Curtis Obershaw on September 27, 1943. Howard joined the U.S. Navy and Ermyl followed him to Oklahoma for school and ultimately to San Diego, California. While in California, Ermyl had their first child, Cheryl in 1945, followed by Roger in 1947, and Pamela in 1955 in Salem, Oregon.
After settling in Salem, Howard became a painting contractor and Ermyl was a mother, homemaker, cub scout leader, and member of Kingwood Bible Church and an Awanas active member. Later, Ermyl began work at State Farm Insurance Regional Office in Salem, rising to Payroll Accounting Clerk.
Ermyl`s first husband, Howard passed away in 1971 and she remained single for 15 years, then marrying LeRoy Burger in 1986. LeRoy was an old family friend who had worked with Howard in the painting industry for many years. Together, Ermyl and LeRoy enjoyed fishing at their lot on the Santiam River, gardening, playing Bingo in different places, and Ermyl completing numerous knitting and crocheting projects.
Ermyl always had a smile, a thank you, and a hug for the many people she encountered. Following the passing of LeRoy in 2010, Ermyl sold their home in Keizer, Oregon and moved into Avamere Assisted Living, located in Keizer, Oregon. While living at Avamere for six years, Ermyl made many friends, had a terrific relationship with the staff there, and involved herself in many social events, especially bingo. First granddaughter, Christine Obershaw, became her primary caregiver at Avamere for the past four years and the only family member allowed into Avamere after the COVID-19 pandemic hit locally, until hospice services were started in late October 2020. At that time, immediate family members were allowed visits until her passing. Christine was instrumental in making Ermyl`s later years at Avamere comfortable and peaceful.
In 2019, Ermyl transferred her church membership to Peace Luthern Church in West Salem, after attending services at Peace for several years with Roger and Corrine.
Ermyl is survived by her sister, Betty Trupukka of Salem, Oregon; daughter, Cheryl (Martin) Burrell of Oregon City, Oregon; son, Roger (Corrine) Obershaw and daughter, Pamela Obershaw of Keizer, Oregon; stepdaughters, Sharon Jackson and Patty Symington of Salem, Oregon; stepson, Philip Burger of Oakland, California; and numerous grandkids and great grandkids.
Arrangements by Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors with interment at Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon. Services at Belcrest will be officiated by Pastor Hughes of Peace Luthern Church and are for immediate family only. A special thanks to all Avamere Assisted Living staff for the wonderful care they gave to Ermyl.
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