Erma L. Hines, 95, passed away on September 30, 2016 at the Washington County Nursing Home.
Erma Lois Eckerson was born October 11, 1920, in Hamilton County, Nebraska 1 ¼ mile northeast of Giltner. on the farm, to Ray Eckerson and Margaret Lewis Eckerson. A country doctor came to the house for her birth. She moved to Ainsley, NE when she was three years old and later moved south of Aurora during her school years.
From 1938-1942 she taught in a one room schoolhouse - District 66, grades 1-8. It was the same schoolhouse her mother taught in 40 years earlier. The schoolhouse was moved to Aurora and put in the museum.
Erma and her husband, Ralph C. Hines met at Prairie Gem United Brethren Church. In 1939 Ralph wanted a church. Prairie Gem was looking for a pastor. They had six try out and hired Ralph. Ralph went to the Eckerson farm for dinner and while there he tore his pants and Erma mended them. When there were youth rallies Erma went with Ralph. Erma claimed that Ralph proposed after she bragged about his preaching. They were married June 8, 1942. They stayed in McCook after the wedding then went to Yuma, CO for Ralph's sister, Erma's wedding.
Erma was the Sunday School treasurer in the late 30s-early 40s. She also was on the official board for the church that hired student pastors from York College.
From 1942-1947 they were at Otterbein Home in Dayton, Ohio while Ralph attended seminary. They were responsible for 29 boys. When Erma became pregnant with their firstborn, they were afraid they would lose the job. However, the home thought it would be good for the boys to see a newborn. Ronald Lee Hines was born November 1944.
After Ralph graduated from seminary, they moved to Denver and pastored a United Brethren Church at 9th and Gallepago for five years. Cheryl Louise was born April 1950. After Ralph was elected as Conference Superintendent, they moved to Colorado Springs. In 1952 Max Allen was born, followed by Calvin Ray in 1953. They lived in Colorado Springs from 1951-1955.
1955 found them moving to Boulder, CO where Ralph served as a pastor from 1955-1960. After the annual conference in June 1960 they moved to Pueblo and pastored there until December 1966. During this time, Erma took a tailoring class at the junior college and began a lifelong love of tailoring and sewing. She also took a millinery (hat making) course and made many beautiful hats for herself and others. Sunday dress for Erma would include a handmade hat, gloves, dress and heels. This was the appropriate attire for church going. When the Evangelical United Brethren and Methodist denominations merged in 1966, Ralph was transferred to Sterling, CO.
Ralph and Erma lived in Sterling from Dec. 1966 – June 1969. During this time Erma went to work outside the home and church. She had always been very involved in church through many different positions and responsibilities as the pastor's wife. Since the move had meant a large pay cut, Erma went to work managing a fabric shop. She was hired because she was a minister's wife and they knew she was honest and could be trusted with the responsibility.
The next move took them to Fort Lupton. Once again Erma remained very involved in the church and worked for a Singer dealer. She sold sewing machines in Boulder, Loveland, and Longmont. She taught customers how to use the machines.
After Ralph's retirement, they moved to Niwot, then Delta, Grand Junction and Fort Morgan. While in Delta, Erma worked for a shop making leather jackets for famous people, one of which was the Marlboro man.
Erma was a member of Extension Homemakers, currently called FCE, from 1987 to 2010. She spent many hours working on various projects. She loved sewing, making crafts, cooking, baking and being with people.
In 2008 she moved from her home in Fort Morgan to the Bee Hive assisted living. In May 2012, she moved to Yuma Life Care Center. On September 29th she moved into the new Washington County Green Houses.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph C. Hines, son Calvin Hines, her brother Garwin Eckerson, sisters Willa Martin and Ruth Tucker, and brothers -in-law Jack Martin and Leonard Tucker.

She is survived by son Dr. Ronald L. Hines (Lois) of Seattle, WA, daughter Cheryl Miller (Harold) of Akron, CO, and son Rev. Max Hines (Karen) of Holyoke, CO; grandchildren Kirsten Hines (James Kushlan),Adam Hines, William (Bud) Miller, Mark Miller (Kelli), Monte Hines (Sarah), Levi Hines, Joy Herring (Michael), Renae Nelson, Angela Hamann (Rodd), and Michelle Ellis (Brian); and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Dr. Shirley White of Alba, TX, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Bowin Funeral Home in Akron, CO. Interment will follow at 12:00 p.m. at the Riverside Cemetery in Fort Morgan, CO. Memorial donations may be made to the Gideons International, BeeHive Assisted Living, or to Hospice of the Plains.