Erma Egge

Erma Egge, age 91, of Barnesville, MN died on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at ValleyCare and Rehab in Barnesville, MN.  

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, June 6, 2024 at St. James United Church of Christ in Barnesville with Rev. John Werner officiating.  Burial will follow in Gran Lutheran Cemetery, rural Barnesville, MN at 4:00 PM.    
Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Thursday.  

     Erma “Toots” Inez Fankhanel was born on July 11, 1932 to Herman and Inez (Baumgartner) Fankhanel in rural Barnesville, MN.  She grew up on the family farm in Atherton Township and attended country school.  She attended St. James Church as a little girl. All her life she has been an active member. She was an avid quilt maker, guild member, and deaconess.
       Erma met Leland Egge while picking potatoes on the Ernst Farm.  The couple was united in marriage on October 23, 1949, at the German Church in Barnesville. She and Leland were married for 72 years, until Leland’s passing in 2021.  They made their home in Barnesville where they raised their children. 
       For many years Leland and Erma’s home and business were located at the corner of Highway 9, just as you enter Barnesville. Erma grew many varieties of showy flowers in the midst of her beautiful green lawn and trees. Many people over the years stopped to admire them, and she often received postcards simply addressed: To The Flower Lady.
       Erma also worked at Thompson’s Greenhouse in Barnesville. She loved planting seedlings in the spring, and designing baskets to sell through the summer. She was knowledgeable of plants and shared her passion with much enthusiasm!
       She and Leland moved to the ‘orange house’ several years ago where Erma quickly planted a new flower garden. Erma loved life, and had many interests in the span of her 91 years. When Leland passed away, she continued to live in the new home she loved. In each new season of her life, she stayed with the times. Over the years she was an avid seamstress, loved to read, and to participate with family, friends, church, and community.
       Erma is survived by her six children: Donna (Jay) McEvers, of Vergas, MN, Duane (Joan) Egge, of Moorhead, MN, Debora (Keith) Ernst, of Fargo, ND, David (Laura) Egge, of Barnesville, MN, Darcy (Steve) Barry, of Barnesville, MN, and Deann (Troy) Hendee, of Springfield, MO; 13 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and 1 great great granddaughter, siblings Virgil Fankhanel, of Barnesville, MN, DeLyle Fankhanel, of Barnesville, MN, LaVonne (Marvin) Nicklay of Fargo, and numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.  
       She was preceded in death by her husband Leland, grandson Jared Egge, her parents Herman and Inez Fankhanel, two sisters Janice Fankhanel and Rolene Nicklay, brother Arnold Fankhanel, sister-in-law June Fankhanel, and several other in laws.  

Memorials may be directed to the St. James Guild or Helpers of Barnesville.