Erma Leona Anderson Polich
On Friday September 15, 2023, Erma passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at the age of 98.
Erma loved three things: work, hobbies, friend and family. Family most of all.
Erma was born on July 25, 1925 in Havre Montana to Hazel Golie and Lester Anderson. At the age of two, her family moved to Saskatchewan Canada. The family farmed there for ten years and she attended a county school through the sixth grade. Around that time the family moved back to Havre Montana and she attended Havre High School. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis (which must have been a shock to the small town girl) and worked at Dayton’s for three years. When she moved back to Havre, she worked for the Great Northern Railway and Dr. Palmer’s office before moving to Great Falls Montana. There she worked for Coca Cola as their accountant until 1952.
She married the love of her life Tony Polich on August 9, 1952 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They moved to Helena and she went to work for the Office of Public Instruction as an accountant. Her sister Donna moved a half block away, allowing them to visit whenever they wanted to and remain close. When they were unable to have their own children, they started the adoption process for Linda Jean which was finalized on December 10, 1957. She enjoyed raising Linda with Tony and all the memories that were made as a family. At their daughter’s request, they brought a dog home in 1959. Michiko, who was so loved he has his own portrait in the living room.
Life only got better when the granddaughters were born in 1969 (Janelle) and 1973 (Shelley). Some of their fondest memories was the bedtime stories that Erma would read to them and the songs they would sing to each other after bath time or when having to take medication…down the hatch! She loved teaching them how to bake, never once minding if they made a mess on the counters or floors. But don’t try to put a finger in the peanut butter! The girls would come running into the house, straight to them to give loves before finding goodies in the bread box. She taught her granddaughters rules and morals and even took them to church with her. She was always teaching others to be better and do better.
She would host many family reunions, loving the time that family got to spend together. Erma loved the holidays and never minded putting together either the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, complete with her special holiday themed dishes. Nothing was too much when it came to spending time with her family and close friends.
Erma loved her bowling league and her time helping clean and raise money for the pet cemetery in Helena. She could be found golfing or eating out around town with Tony. The grandkids would always complain when going out to dinner because between the two of them, everyone in the restaurant would stop and talk while going in and out. Many weekends were spent with the grandkids going to stay with them for the weekend or longer. She would dote on them, making them hot cereal as they watched their cartoons. There was nothing in the world that she would not do for her family.
Erma retired from the State in 1988 and was able to spend more time with the grandchildren. Erma spent her retirement tending to the house, working in the yard, volunteering for many organizations and helping out friends and neighbors. Erma was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church for more than 60 years. She would volunteer to help fold the bulletins or help out in the office in any way she could. She loved baking, especially the rosettes, lefsa and povitica at Christmastime. Her carrot cake on family birthdays was infamous.
She was also blessed with four great grandchildren (Corissa, Madisen, Isabel and Abigail) that she loved and spent much time with. The four of them always looked forward to spending time with Grandma Erma. She treasured her great grandchildren and always smiled brightest when they would come through the door.
She was happy to do anything she could for other people. Erma spent much of her life helping others, including becoming a fulltime caregiver for Tony. She would drive friends to their doctor appointments, take them items they may need or just sit and have a cup of coffee with them. When she was laid up after shoulder surgery, many were allowed the opportunity to do the same for her.
Erma touched the lives of everyone she met and this world was a much better place because she was in it.
Erma was preceded in death by her husband Tony, daughter Linda, mother Hazel, father Lester, sisters Vicki, Donna, and Harriett, brother Rick and her step father Richard.
Erma is survived by grandchildren Janelle (Chris) Hamper and Shelley (George) Widhalm, four great grandchildren Corissa Hamper (Ian), Madisen (Brice) Burton, Isabel Hamper (Connor), and Abigail Hamper (Anthony), one great-great granddaughter Indie Burton, her brothers Lester Anderson and Oris (Deanna) Anderson and sister Illa Stees as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Chapel services will be held at 10am on September 28, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church with a Graveside service to follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday September 28, 2023
St. John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Helena, MT
Burial
Following the Service
Thursday September 28, 2023
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Luncheon
Following the Graveside Service
Thursday September 28, 2023
St. John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday September 28, 2023
St. John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Helena, MT
Burial
Following the Service
Thursday September 28, 2023
Montana State Veteran Cemetery
3550 Heroes Rd
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Luncheon
Following the Graveside Service
Thursday September 28, 2023
St. John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Share
Karen S Loveless says
Aunt Erma always sent us Christmas cards throughout my life. I loved the cards and the yearly letters! I love her and will miss her. She was a great person in all areas of her life. I know she is with Jesus and her Tony! I pray that her family will feel God’s love and peace.
Lester R Anderson says
K ELLY THANK YOU FOR THE PICTURES YOU SENT OF YOUR AUNT ERMA iT SURE BRINGS BACK SOME GOOD MEMORIES lOVE DAD
Margaret Woo says
To Erma’s family,
Erma was a lifelong friend of my father, Tom Woo. She sent my parents a Christmas card every year, even after they moved to Helena, and I am sure she was a recipient of Dad’s annual Christmas letter until he was no longer able to write it, which was in 2012. He passed in 2013. I remember that she was on Dad’s Christmas list. It must have been the Havre connection. They would have been in high school together until Dad was drafted during 1942. I think they kept in touch because of the Havre Mall Walkers, which Dad was a member of with a relative of Erma’s who was still in Havre. Regardless, it was a long time treasured connection. I was able to talke to her years ago, because of her volunteer work with the local pet cemetery, and to this day, I take my recycling to Pacific Recyclng to donate the proceeds to that cause.
My deepest condolences to you all,
Margaret Anne Kernan says
Erma was my beloved neighbor when I lived next door to her on 9th Ave. As her obituary says, she was kind and caring and always attentive to our needs. She had a soft spot for my two children, Peter and Anna, who were growing up at the time. When I remarried and moved from the neighborhood and added a little girl, Erinleigh, to my family, Erma always kept in touch through Christmas letters. We would visit when I saw her at the Great Harvest and she always asked about the kids. Erma was truly faithful in her Christmas correspondence, and true to form, I received a Christmas letter last year. I will miss her presence and the goodness she shared with all, but I believe that her spirit will continue to give love to her family and friends.
Mike and Martha Pezo of Michigan says
Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed Erma when we visited with Amy and Sam a few years ago. She was a super person. God has received anther angel. Our condolences to you and the family
Vida Poling says
Tony and Erma were our next door neighbors on Ninth for my elementary through college years. There were no better neighbors or friends to my parents and us kids. We called her Aunt Erma and cherished her wonderful baked goods, cheerful, loving, good nature, and immaculate house and yard. She was a treasure and will be missed. I am sorry to miss her service but will be praying for you grands and great grands who loved her so. She adored each of you. Peace to your hearts in Jesus name. Vida Nichols Poling
Debbie (Card) Morrison says
Tony and Erma stood up for my mom and dad (Bob and Dolly Card) at their wedding in 1952. My mom and Erma worked together for a short while at the State. And they all bowled together for several years. There are so many memories to treasure and I hope that they bring all of you some comfort. My sincerest condolences on your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Connie Stine says
Erma was a very special person. She was the 1st person I saw when being hired at OPI. I worked in the same department as her and we had a good relationship. After she retired I was invite to her home many times. Great lady!
Joanne Bryson says
Erma was such a very special woman in my life growing up. Her neighbor Mert Hjelm, was my Aunt and we would frequently walk across the alley to see her for coffee. As I grew older I would drive by and stop and visit with her. Knowing Erma was a joy in my life I will always remember.
Kelly Anderson says
Aunt Erma was truly a Christ-like person who was constantly serving others. I have many wonderful memories spending precious time with her and Uncle Tony, and I know she is having a joyous reunion with him, along with Aunt Harriett, Aunt Donna, Aunt Vicky, Grandma and Grandpa Anderson and many others. She will be dearly missed, but we look forward to the day when we will be reunited. We send our love to Janelle, Shelley, and all the family.
Sherry Ramuta says
I was so sorry to see Erma had passed. She was a light in my life. I first met Erma when I was a hospice nurse for Tony. They were so funny and a delightful couple. We saw each other a few times a year and she always kept track of me. I loved her Christmas Cards and news about the family. She is one of the best people to have ever lived. I loved this woman. She will be missed by so many. Much love Sherry Ramuta
Cathy Schneckloth Dawe says
Sweet Erma was a dear friend of my Mom Pat Schneckloth. She was a wonderful lady and I know will be missed by all.
Mary Ann Bahnmiller says
Erma was a very sweet and kind person. I got to know her & Tony from living next door to them on 9th Ave. She had so much energy and I would see her walking everywhere! My son Ryan used to mow her lawn and weed eat for them. After we moved out of the neighborhood I would run in to her on occasion and we would get caught up on things. Our last little visit was at the Dive bakery where I saw her with friends. She did indeed touch a lot of lives…she did mine. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends. ❤️
Rae Westveer says
So sorry to hear about the passing of Erma. I met Erma at a craft show at the Civic Center in Helena. She walked into my booth with a list of names she wanted ornaments with the names put on all of them. We talked for a long time and over the years she became a dear friend . I looked forward to seeing her every year and got to where I would call her to remind her of the show and when it was. I will miss her lovely presence and her kind, giving, thoughtful person she was. I don’t know the family but over the years of personalizing her ornaments for all of you and the conversations we would have about all of you, you are so blessed to of had this beautiful person in all of your lives. I am so sorry I missed the funeral as my husband and I were in Germany visiting our neighbors. Thank you Gene Getz for calling and leaving a message. Sorry if I spelled your name wrong. Erma rest in peace. Love you always.