Erma Martha Fox

She was born December 18, 1926 in Deer River, Minnesota. As a child she lived with her parents, John and Leona in Blackberry, Minnesota and her brothers,Vernon (Mary), Robert (Barbara) and James and her sisters, Kay Kovanen (Archie) and Jean Nelson (Donald). She graduated from Grand Rapids High School and attended Itasca Junior College.

She moved to Duluth with her sister, Kay and began working at Household Finance. In 1948 she married Tom “John” Fox and they had seven children: Greg (Sheila), Dan, Ed (Peggy), Doug (Lupe), Cathy Hoffman, Mark (Natsuko), and Barb Carr (Marc). She often mentioned that her greatest joy was that her kids cared about and loved each other. She found time for each of them.

Her grandchildren, Jennie Berry (Steven), Matt Fox, Nick and David Hoffman, Claire and Phil Fox, Jeff Fox, Sarah and Wyatt Carr, Kai and Ryan Fox got her love, guidance and humor. Her great grandchildren, Amelia, Anna and Sam Berry and Miles Fox enriched her life with their attention and love.

She worked as a waitress at the Highland Supper Club, the Officers Club, and Jocks. Much of her work life was at A. Kemp Fisheries where she hired staff and sold fish around the Midwest by phone. She was often stopped by former co-workers and told how much they valued her support and encouragement.

A longtime member of Saint James church she was an active parishioner working wherever help was needed. Mom was a member of St. Margaret Guild, Foresters, and the auxiliaries of the American Legion and Moose.

She loved her friends and always had room for one more. Thursday at the Senior Center with friends and Bingo was looked forward to every week. She enjoyed the lunches with her friends from church. Coffee at home with Alana was very special.

The family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Carlson and Linda Wick both of whom provided mom with excellent medical care and a familiarity with her life that kept her going strong despite her many ailments. They took time to know and understand her. The care mom received at Edgewood Vista and Solvay House made the end of her life respected and valued.

Memorials may be given to the Project Joy backpack program at Second Harvest.

Visitation: 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Bell Brothers Funeral Home, 601 N 56th Ave. W., Duluth. The visitation will continue from 10:00 until the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, February 3, 2017 at St. James Catholic Church, 721 N 57th Ave. W., Duluth. Interment will be in Oneota Cemetery. Please leave a memory of Erma or words of support for the family at www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com .