Erma Jean Rexwinkle

Erma Jean Rexwinkle, 83, of Iola, and formerly of Altamont, passed away at 3:38 a.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola following an extended illness.

Erma was born July 22, 1933 in rural Edna, Kansas to Andrew and Ella (Fowler) Bryson.  She grew up in Altamont and graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1951.

On October 28, 1950, she married Delbert Rexwinkle in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  While Delbert was serving in the United States Marines, they were stationed in California where their children were born.  Following his discharge, the family made their home on a farm south of Altamont.

In 1968, Erma began working as a part-time clerk in the Altamont Post Office and  was appointed Postmaster in 1979.  She continued working until her retirement in 1992.

Following retirement, the couple moved to Parsons.  She and Delbert loved to travel.  They traveled to several states in their travel trailer and car.  Through the years, they traveled to all 50 states and Puerto Rico.  Erma also loved to work crossword puzzles, watch ballgames, and was actively involved in the activities of her children including Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.  In 1998, due to Erma's health, they moved to Iola to be near their son, Jeff, and his wife, Annette.

One low point in their lives was losing their daughter, Debra, to cancer in 2006.  In addition to Debra, she was preceded in death by her parents, three infant sisters, two sisters, Jessie and Lorraine; and four brothers, Clayton, Wilbur, Norman "Duke", and Ronald.

Survivors include her loving husband of 66 years, Delbert Rexwinkle, of the home; two sons, Steve Rexwinkle and his wife, Gayle, of Spring, TX and Jeff Rexwinkle and his wife, Annette, of Iola, KS; ten grandchildren, Jason Rexwinkle and his wife, Christie, Sarah Lawrence and her husband, Nick, and Tyler Rexwinkle and his wife, Michelle, all of Spring, TX, Scott Rexwinkle and his wife, Barbara of Groveland, CA, Bryson Rexwinkle and his wife, Amber, of Houston, TX, Kara Bryan and her husband, Adam, of Hoyt, KS, Vance Rexwinkle and his wife, Irene, of Kent, WA, Amanda Schmidt and her husband, Bryan, of Parker, CO, and Kaylee Hanf and Rachel Hanf, both of Overland Park, KS; one step-granddaughter, Amy Gornick and her husband, Allen, of Indiana, PA; thirteen great-grandchildren, Allie, Nicole, and Isabella Lawrence, Noah, Lucas, and Braidee Rexwinkle, all of Spring, TX, Alia Rexwinkle of Kent, WA, Shafer and Porter Rexwinkle of Groveland, CA, Charlotte and Finn Bryan of Hoyt, KS, and Eli and Emilia Schmidt of Parker, CO; three step-great-grandchildren,  Matthew, Alissa and Christian Gornick of Indiana, PA, two sisters, Colene Brink of Denver, CO and Marilyn Reed, of Holiday Island, AR, a sister-in-law, June Rexwinkle, of Parsons, KS, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 10, 2017 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.  Private burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont.  The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.