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Erma Punches 04/07/2012

Erma Marcella Punches, age 86, died Saturday, April 7, 2012 at the Kinnic Health Care Center in River Falls.  Erma was born the daughter of Jess and Flora (Perkins) Newberry o February 16, 1926 in the Town of Drammen, Wisconsin.  Erma was a longtime resident of River Falls and Ellsworth, WI.  She met her husband, Ernest Punches while working at Heubsch Laundry in Eau Claire, WI.  They were married on March 25, 1944 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Eau Claire.  After marriage she worked as a waitress, then stayed home to raise her children.  Ernest and Erma had 6 children together, 5 sons and 1 daughter.  After she lost the love of her life, Ernest in 1968, she raised her younger 3 boys with the help of her older son, Edward.  She enjoyed gardening, and had many beautiful plants outside and inside her home.  She loved to shop and add to her many collections of dolls and knick-knacks.  She was always helping her neighbors and friends, her home was always a gathering place for the young and old.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and always made a person feel welcome.  Even with her declining health and memory she still had a smile for everyone.  Erma is preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Flora Newberry; husband, Ernest Punches, Sr.; brothers, Dan, Murel, LeRoy, Leonard, and Jess; and sisters, Mildred, Gladys, Evelyn and Delores.  She is survived by children, Ernest Jr. (Barbara), Edward, Jerry, Robert, Patrick, and Judy Johnson; grandchildren, Jeanette (Brian) Nelson, Matthew (Denise), Tara (Mike) Hakes, Travis (Olivia) Johnson, Tia, and Tai; great-grandchildren, Zachary, Ashley, Jesse, Cody, Laura, Quinn, Glenn, Grace and Addison.  A Memorial Gathering was held on Friday, April 13, 2012 from 10am – 1 pm at the Bakken-Young Funeral Home in River Falls.  Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Merrillan, WI.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls.

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