Erma Fossum

May 18, 1931 - March 7, 2019

Visitation: Visitation will be Thursday from 2-7 p.m., family present from 5-7 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

Service: Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 15 at Lands Lutheran Church (47998 292nd St, Hudson, SD).

Erma Fossum, age 87, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2019 at the Canton Good Samaritan Society surrounded by her family.  Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 15 at Lands Lutheran Church (47998 292nd St, Hudson, SD).  Visitation will be Thursday from 2-7 p.m., family present from 5-7 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

Erma was born on May 18, 1931 near Lennox, SD to Reiner and Jane (Kuper) Tammen.  She graduated from Lennox High School in 1949.  She married Allen Fossum on July 12, 1949 in Lennox, SD.

          In addition to raising her children and being a farm wife, Erma worked as a cook at Augustana Academy before spending many years as a cook and later in the laundry department at the Canton-Inwood Hospital.  Erma was an excellent cook and baker and fed not only her family but also friends, neighbors, salesmen or anyone who needed a hearty meal.  You never left her house hungry.  She was known for her potato salad, pies and ice cream pails full of chocolate chip cookies.  Erma always had a smile on her face and treasured time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

          She was a longtime member of the Extension Club, 4-H, Lands Lutheran Church and a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.  In her younger years, she was active in Boy Scouts, Circle, and Bible Study.  She enjoyed dancing and traveling with her husband, especially bus trips and Octoberfest in New Ulm, MN.

          Grateful for sharing her life are her children- Lynda (Richard) Rol, Gary, SD, Gary (Lori) Fossum, Lennox, SD, Doug (Jodie) Fossum, Canton, SD, Deb (Ray) Harris, Canton, SD, Carol (Bob) Bucholz, Harrisburg, SD, and Alan (Mary) Fossum, Canton, SD; 21 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; brother, Ernie (Shirley) Tammen; Lennox, SD; sister, Mae Ludens, Rochelle, IL;  along with numerous extended relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Allen; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis (Ardyce) Fossum; grandson, Douglas Fossum, Jr.; great-granddaughter, Lauren Peterson; parents; sister, Gladys Steever; and brother, Francis Tammen.

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5 messages have been left

  1. Sandi Lundstrom on March 8, 2019 said:

    I am so sorry for you loss, it is so hard to not see your mom whenever you want. No matter what their age or your age, it just is so painful.
    You have our sympathy and hugs. May God wrap you in His loving arms and give you Peace.

  2. Mary and Roger Wheeler on March 8, 2019 said:

    Dear family,
    So sorry for your loss. My, what a wonderful reunion Erma and Allen are having today. We have many special memories to cherish through the years of friendship. Loved their gracious hospitality as we were treated like family. We will always remember you all and pray for you especially in the coming days.
    Sending our love,
    Mary and Roger Wheeler

  3. Brian R Lind on March 10, 2019 said:

    Gary, Alan,
    My Greatest sympathy on the passing of your mother. May God Bless

  4. Francis and Carol McEntee on March 12, 2019 said:

    So sorry to hear of the passing of Erma. Deepest sympathy and prayers for family MAC AND CAROL MCENTEE

  5. David and Kathy Holter on March 13, 2019 said:

    We are saddened to hear of your mother and grandmother’s passing. May God wrap His loving arms
    around each of you at this sad time. Praise God for the promise “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.”. Just knowing that Erma will be waiting to meet you some day.