Erma Caspers

ERMA CASPERS

Anamosa

Erma Jean Caspers, matriarch of the Caspers family, entered her new life on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at her home at the age 88, surrounded by her children and grand-children. Funeral services will be 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, Jan. 10, at Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa, where friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Anamosa. The Rev. Nathaniel Kennedy will officiate at the services.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

Erma is survived by her eight children, Jean Caspers, Connie (Charlie) Echols, Brenda Echols, Rick (Virginia) Caspers, Riva (Ray) Echols, Randy (Roseann) Caspers, Debra (Steve) Schmaljohn and Rusty (Cheryl) Caspers. Also surviving are her sister, LaVonne (Karl) Whiting; and sisters-in-law, Lois Schlotterbeck, Laura Ortgies and Dolly Caspers. Her children graced her with 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grand-children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Leona Arnett, Eileen Johnson and Juanita Walter; two brothers, Delmar and Edward Schlotterbeck; and a son-in-law, Les Echols.

Erma Jean Schlottebeck was born June 30, 1926, to George and Amelia Kerkman Schlotterbeck in Atkins, Iowa. She graduated from Atkins High School in 1943 and entered the work force as a secretary at Wilson Foods in Cedar Rapids. Over the years she did child care in her home, sold Home Interior products and worked at Casey's. Her biggest and most important job was raising her eight children. Erma married George H. Caspers in 1945; they later divorced.

Besides her children, Erma loved to play bingo, watch the Iowa Hawkeyes and gamble on the boat. For many years, she traveled to Missouri to visit her daughters and to Las Vegas with her brothers, sisters and daughter. She loved playing cards, and no family get-together was complete without at least one card game or more.

She spent her last days surrounded by her family, friends, love, laughter and peace. Her place at the card table will always be empty and playing will never be the same. She will be missed terribly, but most importantly, "Hey Mom, we always knew you were cheating."