Erma most loved nurturing growing things, whether it was children or the profusion of flowers in her garden. Her love for her children came out in traditions such as root beer floats on Sundays and family photos featuring everyone in matching outfits. A mother of six, her grocery budget and her patience could be stretched thin. But her Catholic faith and childhood on a farm had taught her that love, hard work, and a little determination could make anything—or anyone—thrive.
With a 10-year age difference between her oldest and youngest child, Erma’s role as a mother evolved over the years. She was proud of her house and kept it up meticulously, sewed clothes, and fed her husband, children and their friends. She was a Girl Scout troop leader, a player of countless games of catch, and a volunteer. As her kids grew up and moved out, she had to stay busy. So she took up a part-time job at Sears where she also made dear friends.
Erma was the type of grandma that explains why songs celebrating, “to grandmother’s house we go,” exist. She knew all her progeny’s favorite pies, holiday cookies, and baked goods and made them eagerly in anticipation of their visits. She specialized in sewing purple princess dresses and Halloween costume lobster claws. And she kept a complete collection of Disney VHS tapes and Peter Pan mugs that are still circulating amongst the younger generations.
She had a stubborn streak (that she herself recognized). It came out in Erma’s refusal to slow down and stop climbing ladders, gardening in the heat, or playing pick-up games of sand volleyball as she aged. Also, in her complete abhorrence of computers. But her “Sauer-Kraut” nature is one her family is grateful for. Because it also guided her fierce determination to build a better life for her family than what she had.
Her favorites, the Chiefs, would have definitely played harder if they could have heard her yelling, “You gotsta get the ball!” from her chair on game days.
Erma was preceded in death by her devoted husband Aristides “Al” Simoes. In addition, her mother Leona Schulte (deceased), her father Fred Schulte (deceased), and her aunt and uncle Martin and Marge Schulte (deceased), and cousin Marty Schulte (deceased). Also, Sister-in-law Mary Gambardella (Patrick; both deceased). If there is a beach in heaven, Al and Erma are on it together now, with their longtime friend Dick Gatto, to be joined in the future by his wife Marian.
Erma is survived by her garden of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Children: Kathy (Steve) Marian, Debbie (Paul) Spannuth, Larry Simoes, Renee (Ken, deceased; Rob Madrzykowski) Godsey, Mary Lynn (Chad) Martin, and Laura (Jeff) Jaworski. Grandchildren: Rachel (Sam Femino) Spannuth, Alison (Jason) Fraser, Geoff (Cate) Marian, Michael (Adrienne) Spannuth, Chris (Mary Kate Walsh) Martin, Greg Martin, Sydney (Taran Swinney) Martin, Nick Jaworski, Zach Jaworski, and Morgan Godsey. Great-Grandchildren: Xayden Swinney, Abilia Fraser, Elliot Marian, Isaac Marian, Maggie Spannuth, and expected-soon-baby Spannuth. By looks and tastes, you would be hard-pressed to tell they are all related. But together they make her most beautiful bouquet.
Also left to honor Erma’s memory are her brother James Schulte (Laverne; deceased, cousins Linda (Dan) Micka, Mary Schulte, her brother-in-law Jack Simoes (Linda) and all her husband’s family members in New York.
A private family Entombment at Resurrection Cemetery will be held on June 14, 2023. A Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. on September 2, 2023 at Cure of Ars Catholic Church., 9405 Mission Rd., Leawood KS with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Catholic Education Foundation (CEFKS.org) in Erma’s name.