Graveside services for Erma R. Barker, 85, of Wayne will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 26 at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wayne. The Rev. Nick Baker will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 at First United Methodist Church in Wayne.
She died Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Providence Medical Center in Wayne.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne.
Erma Ruth Barker was born March 26, 1940 to Arthur Glen “Ted” and Erma Ruth (Hamm) Young in Laurel. Her childhood was spent on a farm in rural Laurel in Wayne County. She was a graduate of Wayne High School. Erma married Arthur Francis Barker on May 26, 1957 at the First United Methodist Church in Wayne. Over the years, the couple lived in Laurel, Dunnell, Minnesota, Crofton, Wilcox, and Wakefield before moving to Wayne. Erma worked as a school cook, custodian, a seamstess at Restful Knights, a bookkeeper and a Tupperware salesperson. Her most favorite titles were mom, grandma, and great-grandma.
Survivors include her children, Erma (Craig) Johnson, of Bridgeport, Pat Ourada (Dale Larson) of Funk, Ardie Sommerfeld of Wakefield, Roy (Tammy) Barker of Blair, and Kelly (Duane) Witt, of Wayne; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; sister, Janice Brockman of Norfolk; sister-in-law, Mina Young of Laurel; brother-in-law, Jim Iddings of Sioux City, IA; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Arthur and Erma Ruth; husband, Art in 2011; parents-in-law, Charles and Ida (Hohneke) Barker; sisters, Dorothy (Walter) Hale and Dona Iddings; brothers, Bill Young and Pat Young; infant granddaughter, Dayna LaRaye Witt; and son-in-law, Kirk Sommerfeld.
Honorary pallbearers will be Erma and Art’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
