Erma Mae (Jancik) Reed was born July 8, 1923 to Joseph and Anna (Sibl) Jancik at DuBois, NE. She was the youngest of 3 daughters, sisters Lillian Klein and Rose Jancik. She graduated from Table Rock High School in 1941. After school, Erma was employed at the Lincoln Telephone Co. for 6 ½ years. She married Harold Vernon Reed on April 20, 1947. To this marriage 4 children were born Judith, Linda, Gary, and Janet who died at birth. They lived north of Humboldt, moved near to Denton and finally moved to Elmwood in 1957 which is home. Erma retired from Woodmen Accident & Life Insurance Co. in 1986 after 30 years of service. She was a news correspondent for the Elmwood area with the Plattsmouth Journal newspaper from 1986-2005 which she really enjoyed.

Erma was a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church, Jessie Bragg Circle, Woodmen Women Retirees, Rebecca Lodge and several other organizations.

Erma grew up with happy music in her heart. Erma loved polka dancing especially while her father played in the polka band. She spent many weekends dancing and talking about all the great times she had. One of the songs she would sing to her children and grand-children were "You are my Sunshine". Her cooking and baking reflected her Czechoslovakia heritage, Koloches, Hoska bread and pies which thrilled her family. She always enjoyed a good Joke. She was gifted with patience and a good sense of humor. When she wasn't working for Woodmen Accident and Life Insurance Co. she would be baking, gardening, canning and making crafts. She crochets many afghans, dollies, and fun gifts. She enjoyed being an active grandmother. Vernon and Erma always took a yearly vacation; once Vernon was gone Erma enjoyed traveling with "The Yesterday Kids" bus trips all over the country. A favorite pass time was playing Pinochle with various groups to the whee hours in the morning!

Erma is survived by her children: Judith and John Weisheit Stamford, NE, grandchildren Marlene and Bob Launchbaugh, Joe and Megan Weisheit and great-granddaughter Sophie;
Linda and Ed Blunt of Elmwood grandchildren Jase, Jared, Jacob Blunt, and Jennifer and Nathan Brettmann, great-grandchildren Christian and Rebecca;
Gary and Marilyn Reed of Elmwood grandchildren Angie and Tim Benes great-grandchildren Madison, Breanna, Savannah, Elijah, Emilee and Brian Cooper great-grandchildren Cassie and Ethan. Granddaughter Lacey Reed and Great-grandchild Annilei; Sister-in-law Virginia Fujan of Lincoln, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents Joseph & Anna Jancik, husband Vernon, daughter Janet, sisters Lillian Klein and Rose Jancik.

Funeral service will be Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, at 400 West G Street, Elmwood, Nebraska, with burial at the Elmwood Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers please consider Elmwood Community / Senior Center, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Elmwood Rescue and the UMC Cass County Food Bank.

Visitation will be Friday, August 24, 2012 from 1:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. with the Family greeting friends from 7:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. all at the Funeral Home, 113 West D Street, Elmwood, Nebraska