Erma R. Reid

  Erma Reid, 93, of Elkhorn, Neb., passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 at Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, Neb.

Erma Ruth (Miller) Reid was born Dec. 18, 1920 in Latimer, Iowa, the second child of Henry J. and Nellie (Carr) Miller.

A memorial service officiated by her niece, Rev. Lynette Meyer, of El Paso, Texas, will be held in Clear Lake this summer.

She received her first 12 years of education at the Latimer Public School.  She attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and graduated in May of 1942 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.

In June of 1942 she married Harlen Flickinger Reid of St. Ansgar, Iowa, at Payne Memorial Methodist Church in New Orleans, La.  Following the years of Harlen’s active duty in the Navy during World War II, they took up residence in Clear Lake, becoming active members of their church and community.  They owned and operated a men’s clothing store from 1955 through retirement in 1978 and especially enjoyed traveling and spending time with family, neighbors and many friends.

During her years in Clear Lake, Erma was an active member of the United Methodist Church, the Chancel Choir, United Methodist Women, Christian Women’s Connection, bible study groups, Progress Study Club, Chapter AQ of T.T.T. Society, and Chapter EA of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.  She also served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Hospice and had a lifelong passion for music, piano, organ, singing, painting and the arts.  Through these associations, Erma had many endearing and fulfilling friendships that lasted throughout her life.  

Erma lived in Clear Lake until June 2008 at which time she moved to Elk Ridge Village, an independent retirement community, in Elkhorn, close to her son, Bruce, and his family.

She is survived by son, Bruce (wife, Donni); granddaughters, Kailyn Watson (husband, J.T.) and Brittyn Reid; and great-granddaughter, Macy Watson, all of Omaha; as well as nieces and their families. 

She was preceded in death by husband, Harlen, in 1979; and sister, Neva Stover, in 2000.

Per her wishes, her remains were donated for medical research. 

Memorials should be directed to Talking Book & Braille Foundation, Lincoln, Neb., or the United Methodist Church, Clear Lake.