Erma Usselman, 89, formerly of Balfour, passed away Monday, May 16, 2016 at the Tioga Long Term Care facility. A private service will be held at the Bethke-Nelson Funeral Home in Drake, followed by burial at the Balfour Cemetery, where her life will be celebrated by her loved ones. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to local humane societies to commemorate Erma's life-long love of animals.

Erma Grace Sherlock, daughter of Edward and Olga (Ries) Sherlock, was born August 19, 1926 at Drake. She grew up on the family farm north of Drake and graduated from Drake High School. While reminiscing with her granddaughter, Erma often spoke fondly of her childhood on the farm, where she was the fifth of seven children. During her high school years, Erma displayed wonderful talent for the arts, completing several drawings and paintings which can still be seen on display at the Drake high school. This was a talent she proudly passed on to her grandson as well.

As a young woman, she worked as a switchboard operator and also as a kitchen assistant. In her later years, she commented often that the small towns she had known had grown so much from her memories of her time working in the city. Later, she was united in marriage to Mike Usselman, and they made their home and farmed in the Balfour area.

Erma and Mike were blessed with six children, whom they raised in Balfour and each graduated there until the school closed in 1979. Their youngest son graduated from Drake high school, and the siblings remained close throughout adulthood. Following Mike's death in 1983, Erma remained in Balfour until moving to Williston in 1988. In the late '90s, she moved to Ray to be close to her daughter and grandchildren, while caring for her beloved dogs over the years. As a result, the family had opportunity to spend much time together, with two of her grandsons sharing her home with her, as she appreciated their help with yardwork and errands. Later Erma moved to Minot, where she enjoyed several years of playing bingo, card games, listening to piano music, and pampering manicures at Manor Care before recently moving to Tioga.

Erma was dearly loved by her family and spent much time with them during holidays, while traveling, and watching patiently as various home projects were completed in and around the Ray area. Some of her favorite pass-time activities included taking long drives, sitting for hours in the sun, enjoying cold ice cream on warm sunny days, and treats at the mall during outings. Her laugh and warm heart were contagious, and her memory will remain with her family and loved ones who she shaped with her kind and gracious presence throughout her life.

She is survived by son Robert "Bob" (Marion) of Williston; her son Daniel "Dan" of Bismarck; her daughter, Diane (Ron) Brunner of Ray; and son, Michael of Owatonna, MN; 9 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 2 sisters, Laurel Usselman of Harvey and Clarice Martin of Minot.

Erma was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Jimmy; her daughter, Mary; her grandson, Brandon; her parents; 1 sister, Joyce; and 3 brothers, Alfred, William and Charles.