Margaret Viola Erdman

Margaret Erdman, 82, of Bayard, passed away Monday, August 11, 2008, at Regional West Medical Center, from complications after surgery.  Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2008 at Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Bayard with Pastor Dan Zitterkopf officiating.  Interment will be at the Bayard Cemetery.  A memorial has been established to the Gideons International.  Friends may call at Bayard Memorial Chapel Friday, August 15, 2008, from 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. 

     Margaret Viola Erdman was born December 23, 1925, in Saskatchewan, Canada to Jacob and Olinda (Ebel) Siegfried.  She moved with her family to western Nebraska, where she grew up.  Margaret attended and graduated from the Bayard Public School system, and attended Chadron State College.  She married Mike Erdman on March 10, 1946.  To this union six children were born: Steven Joseph, who died at birth, Steve, Dan, Sam, Tim and one daughter, Jennifer.  Mike, Margaret and their family moved to eastern Washington state in March of 1967 to farm in the newly developing Columbia Basin Irrigation Project.  Margaret was employed for 20 years at Chef-Redy Inc. in Othello, Washington, and was a cook in the North Franklin School District in Connell, Washington.  Margaret also loved to bake, making numerous cakes for various occasions. 

     Margaret was an active member at the Connell Christian Center, and a very faithful attendee who loved to play the accordion during the worship service.  Margaret lost her husband in December 2003, and son, Dan in June 2004, leaving her without any immediate family nearby to help comfort and care for her.  In October 2004, Margaret returned to Bayard where she purchased a home and was very proud of the beautiful flowers and garden she tirelessly maintained.  Margaret’s home was always open, and she loved to cook and invite friends and family over to eat.  Her turnovers, cakes, donuts, cinnamon rolls, noodles, and the various great foods she produced will be greatly missed. 

     Margaret was a faithful member of Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Bayard, and loved to play her accordion at the Chimney Rock Villa each month for the church services there.  Margaret worked hard her entire life and was a generous, hospitable person, whose main purpose in life was to serve and honor Jesus Christ, her Savior.  As she has reached her final destination, a place in Heaven with her Lord, Margaret’s greatest desire would be for you to make sure of your eternal destination and to accept the grace of God and His salvation through the blood of His Son, Jesus.  One should realize the brevity of this life and that only what is done for Jesus will last throughout eternity. 

     Margaret is survived by her sons and wives: Steve (Cathy) Erdman, Bayard, NE; Sam (Chris) Erdman, Valencia, CA; Tim (Jeri) Erdman, Bayard, NE; and her daughter husband Jennifer (Gregg) Bartholomew, Munroe Falls, OH; grandsons: Craig (Emily) Erdman, Scottsbluff, NE; Philip (Cortney) Erdman and great-granddaughter, Grace, Bayard, NE; Nicholas (Kahlia) Erdman, Kearney, NE; Garrett (Amy) Markenson, Valencia, CA; Matthew Markenson, Valencia, CA;  Michael (Nicole) Erdman and great-grandson, Zachary, Douglas, WY; Matthew (Tara) Erdman, Fort Collins, CO; Dustin Oliver, Munroe Falls, OH; Corey Oliver, Stow, OH and Brandon Oliver, Wadsworth, OH; brothers: Albert (Joan) Siegfried, John (Karen) Siegfried, all from Bayard, NE; sisters: Esther Watford, Hartsville, SC, and Eva (Ed) Yekel, Littleton, CO; sisters-in-law: Anne Haffner, Scottsbluff, NE; Esther Williams, Sand Springs, OK; DeeLore Siegfried, Mesa, WA; Irene (James) Penifold, Coolege, AZ, and numerous nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Mike, brother Edwin, and sons Steven Joseph and Dan.

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