Montrose - Daily Press

Erma Lenore Pulver

Aug. 29, 1923 — April 21, 2008

BERTHOUD — Erma Lenore Pulver passed away Monday, April 21, 2008, at Berthoud Living Center in Berthoud, Colo. after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Erma was born Aug. 29, 1923, at the homestead of her parents, Oscar McKinley and Alma Meda Marks, in the farming community of Leroy near Sterling, Colo. As the third of three children, she grew up on the farm and graduated from Harding High School in 1941.

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Erma attended various colleges, and, after graduating from the University of Denver in 1945, she decided to fulfill her dream of living in the mountains. She moved to Silverton, Colo. and taught English for one year in the Silverton School. She continued her teaching career for many years as a substitute teacher. In 1946 she married Harry Daniel Pulver at the Kelly church on the plains of eastern Colorado. They lived in Silverton where Erma kept busy as mom to their first four children. In 1959 they moved from Silverton to Montrose, had another child, settled on their small ranch, and built their home. Even after the death of her husband Harry in 1989, Erma continued to reside on the ranch and carried on the ranch operations of irrigating and caring for the cattle. In 2004 poor health necessitated a move into the Homestead Assisted Living in Montrose. In 2005 she moved to Clare Bridge Memory Care in Fort Collins, Colo. and then to the Berthoud Living Center.

Erma was a 4-H leader for 22 years. She supported young people in their endeavors, and she was a mentor in the Partners program. In the 1970’s Erma became involved in Colorado CattleWomen. She held the local offices of president and secretary and served on the state board as southwest representative for 10 years. The weather was never too bad nor the day too long for Erma to attend a meeting or represent the CattleWomen, and in 1999 she was named an honorary life member. Her efforts to put beef displays, nutritional and cooking facts, and agricultural information before the general public made her name synonymous with agricultural education in her part of the state.  

As an officer and/or committee member of the Extension Homemaker Club, Erma was involved with legislative concerns, wrote letters, and met with legislators concerning land use. She helped educate people on water usage and water rights. She also spearheaded the funding and building of the Friendship Pavilion at the Montrose County Fairgrounds.

Montrose Christian Church, where she was a member for 48 years, was a vital part of Erma’s life. She helped start the first home Bible study and later was a significant supporter of Bible Bowl teams. She taught Sunday school and VBS, sang in the choir, played in the bell choir, participated in Bible studies (including Women of Worship), and hosted visiting church groups in her home. Because of her love of reading, Erma had an extensive library that she shared with her Bible study group and the ladies of the church.

She was proficient in sewing, tailoring, and needlework of all kinds. Her family has many examples of her beautiful work. Her hobbies also included jigsaw puzzles, cooking, watching hummingbirds, and growing sweet peas. A favorite pastime was hiking and hunting mushrooms in the mountains that she so dearly loved.

Erma is survived by sister, Letha Nantz of Alvin, Texas; children, Marilyn Titus and husband John of Berthoud, Colo., Bradley Pulver of Durango, Colo., Roxie Davidson of Imperial, Neb., Glade Pulver and wife Eva of Montrose, and Ted Pulver of Montrose; 11 grandchildren (including Kevin Lively, Steven Lively and Janelle Lively of Sterling) and seven great- grandchildren.

Erma was preceded in death by her parents, brother Harold Marks, and husband Harry. Memorial services for Erma will be held at the Montrose Christian Church on Friday, May 2, 2008, at 10 a.m. Inurnment of her ashes will be held at a private family gathering. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests a donation in Erma’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633 or online at www.alz.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.

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