In the arms of her loving husband of 75 years, Erma Bethene Axthelm , age 93 , passed from this life on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. A kind woman with a great sense of humor, Erma was a true blessing to her family.

Erma was born on Valentine's Day 1923 in Ord , Nebraska , to Len and Loretta Covert. Erma attended school in Ord and graduated in 1940. She considered becoming a nurse, but after being allowed to observe surgery by the family doctor, she quickly dismissed the idea. Erma met her future husband Mike at the home of a good friend. When they started dating, Erma's father, who was the local police chief, soon had Mike 'checked out'. He must have checked out okay because Erma's dad, impressed with what a big man Mike was and his athletic abilities, consented to their marriage. Mike and Erma were married on a bright, sunny day in January 1941. They moved to Madison Wisconsin for a short time, but World War II called them back to Ord. Mike set Erma up in a home near relatives in Ord before he was drafted into the military. Erma did bookkeeping for the soils conversation business they owned. They farmed their land until two years of hail ruined the crops. In 1956, with the family having grown from two to six, they moved to Washington State and settled in Mount Vernon . Erma was busy raising her children and working in the First Christian Church. She worked as a rural delivery driver for the Skagit Valley Herald for 24 years. She enjoyed watching the children on her route grow into adulthood. When Erma and Mike retired, their pleasure in life really began. They loved to travel and visited 48 states. They cruised to Alaska and spent time in Hawaii . They wintered in Arizona for many years and made many friends there.

Erma is survived by her devoted husband, Mike Axthelm of Mount Vernon , and their four children: daughter Beth (Brent) Weidemann of Anacortes, three sons Lynn (Gabe) Axthelm of Mount Vernon, James (April ) Axthelm of Mount Vernon and Bill (Jer) Axthelm of Beaverton, Oregon. Erma also leaves behind 22 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren, and 6 great, great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Children's Hospital in the name of Erma Axthelm. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 19, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon follwed by a reception in the Hawthorne Reception Room.