Erma was short and olive complection. A hard worker Loved to work outside loved to sew and make quilts and things. Lived on a farm her married life. Raised chickens, loved to have her hair combed she would fall a sleep when I Sheryl Mason Kurth would come over as a little girl. Moved to town latter in life and joined groups and a quilting club that donated quilts to the needy. Joined the Senior Cittizen Club.
Daughter of Jacob Steven A Douglas was born on a farm in the Lewis Bottom area and the family moved to Shellsburg when Erma was around three years old. Erma was the youngest of three children: Joseph LeRoy (born August 4 1888) and died (Sept 4 1916) when a cistern caved in on him. Iona Delda (born March 19,1893) and died (June 11 1916 of complications following head operation. Erma was born (November 3 1906). Both her brother and sister were very young when they passed away although each were married and had a child at the time of their deaths.
Erma tells that she was quite spoiled as a youngster having a very nice doll collection and when entering one of the local stores in Shellsburg was given anything in the line of candy that she wanted. This was given to her by the store owner.
The one thing that Erma tells most about as the type of dress that she was allowed to wear. As a young lady, one particular time she wanted to wear a dress that had no sleeves in and her father made her go upstairs and change before she could leave the house to go on her date. Another thing that Erma told about was that when she went out on a date her mother would always be waiting at the foot of the stairs for her when she arrived home.
Erma was born in the country east of Shellsburg but later her father bought a home in town where she spent the majority if her youth. Some of the farm land where the Van Fossen s lived is now under water where the Pleasant Creek Lake is. The home in Shellsburg was a very large house and was used as a boarding for a time. There were many people that stayed there but the one group that Erma recalls best is the Ingraham Show Troup stayed there for many years. This same home was later bought by one of Everett and Erma's daughter's Decie. It was remodeled and the upstairs was made into apartments. The lower level became Clyde and Decie Masons' home..The dinning room floor in this house was laid by hand, by a Frenchman who stayed at the home for room and board. There are only three other homes in town laid by the same person. The name of the flooring was Parquet.
I Granddaughter Sheryl Mason Kurth, remember as a young girl making homemade butter and eating grandmas delious salad dressing cakes with creamy white frosting. I remember seeing grandma work hard in the gardens and sew and hustle my aunts around getting there chores done before grandpa would get home from work and town.
[deneren-9-12456.ged]
===
CRESS, Erma L (VanFOSSEN); 93; Shellsburg IA; Cedar Rapids Gazette; 2000-3-31; putberg
Born at Lewis Bottom Iowa November 03, 1906
Erma was short and olive complection.
A hard worker Loved to work outside loved to
sew and make quilts and things.
Lived on a farm her married life. Raised chickens, loved to have her hair combed she would fall a sleep when I Sheryl Mason Kurth would come over as a little girl.
Moved to town latter in life and joined groups and a quilting club that donated quilts to the needy. Joined the Senior Cittizen Club.
Daughter of Jacob Steven A Douglas was born on a farm in the Lewis Bottom area and the family moved to Shellsburg
when Erma was around three years old. Erma was the youngest of three children: Joseph LeRoy (born August 4 1888) and died (Sept 4 1916) when a cistern caved in on him.
Iona Delda (born March 19,1893) and died (June 11 1916
of complications following head operation.
Erma was born (November 3 1906). Both her brother and
sister were very young when they passed away although each were married and had a child at the time of their deaths.
Erma tells that she was quite spoiled as a youngster
having a very nice doll collection and when entering one
of the local stores in Shellsburg was given anything in the line of candy that she wanted. This was given to her by the store owner.
The one thing that Erma tells most about as the type of
dress that she was allowed to wear. As a young lady,
one particular time she wanted to wear a dress that had no sleeves in and her father made her go upstairs and change before she could leave the house to go on her date.
Another thing that Erma told about was that when she went
out on a date her mother would always be waiting at the foot of the stairs for her when she arrived home.
Erma was born in the country east of Shellsburg but later her father bought a home in town where she spent the majority if her youth.
Some of the farm land where the Van Fossen s lived is now under water where the Pleasant Creek Lake is.
The home in Shellsburg was a very large house and was used as a boarding for a time. There were many people that stayed there but the one group that Erma recalls best is the Ingraham Show Troup stayed there for many years. This same home was later bought by one of Everett and Erma's daughter's Decie.
It was remodeled and the upstairs was made into apartments.
The lower level became Clyde and Decie Masons' home.
The dinning room floor in this house was laid by hand, by a Frenchman who stayed at the home for room and board.
There are only three other homes in town laid by the same person.
The name of the flooring was Parquet.
I Granddaughter Sheryl Mason Kurth, remember as a young girl making homemade butter and eating grandmas delious salad dressing cakes with creamy white frosting.
I remember seeing grandma work hard in the gardens and
sew and hustle my aunts around getting there chores done
before grandpa would get home from work and town.
Reciepe in the open line cookbook
PUMPKIN CAKE
2 cups flour, sifted
½ salt teaspoon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves
½ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup thick strained pumpkin
1 cup raisins
¼ cup nuts, chopped
Sift together the first eight ingredients. Cream shortening, add sugar and blend well. Add the egg and beat until fluffy. Add the pumpkin, gradually add the sifted ingredients and stir until smooth. Add nuts, raisins. Bake in a greased 8 inch square cake pan in a moderate oven. 350° for 1 hour. (Mrs. E. L. Cress, Shellsburg, Iowa)
From Family information
Daughter of Jacob Steven A Douglas was born on a farm in the Lewis Bottom area and the family moved to Shellsburg when Erma was around three years old. Erma was the youngest of three children: Joseph LeRoy (born August 4 1888) and died (Sept 4 1916) when a cistern caved in on him. Iona Delda (born March 19,1893) and died (June 11 1916 of complications following head operation. Erma was born (November 3 1906). Both her brother and sister were very young when they passed away although each were married and had a child at the time of their deaths.
Erma tells that she was quite spoiled as a youngster having a very nice doll collection and when entering one of the local stores in Shellsburg was given anything in the line of candy that she wanted. This was given to her by the store owner.
The one thing that Erma tells most about as the type of dress that she was allowed to wear. As a young lady, one particular time she wanted to wear a dress that had no sleeves in and her father made her go upstairs and change before she could leave the house to go on her date. Another thing that Erma told about was that when she went out on a date her mother would always be waiting at the foot of the stairs for her when she arrived home.
Erma was born in the country east of Shellsburg but later her father bought a home in town where she spent the majority if her youth. Some of the farm land where the Van Fossen s lived is now under water where the Pleasant Creek Lake is. The home in Shellsburg was a very large house and was used as a boarding for a time. There were many people that stayed there but the one group that Erma recalls best is the Ingraham Show Troup stayed there for many years. This same home was later bought by one of Everett and Erma's daughter's Decie. It was remodeled and the upstairs was made into apartments. The lower level became Clyde and Decie Masons' home..The dinning room floor in this house was laid by hand, by a Frenchman who stayed at the home for room and board. There are only three other homes in town laid by the same person. The name of the flooring was Parquet.
I Granddaughter Sheryl Mason Kurth, remember as a young girl making homemade butter and eating grandmas delious salad dressing cakes with creamy white frosting. I remember seeing grandma work hard in the gardens and sew and hustle my aunts around getting there chores done before grandpa would get home from work and town.
[deneren-9-12456.ged]
===
CRESS, Erma L (VanFOSSEN); 93; Shellsburg IA; Cedar Rapids Gazette; 2000-3-31; putberg
Born at Lewis Bottom Iowa November 03, 1906
Erma was short and olive complection.
A hard worker Loved to work outside loved to
sew and make quilts and things.
Lived on a farm her married life. Raised chickens, loved to have her hair combed she would fall a sleep when I Sheryl Mason Kurth would come over as a little girl.
Moved to town latter in life and joined groups and a quilting club that donated quilts to the needy. Joined the Senior Cittizen Club.
Daughter of Jacob Steven A Douglas was born on a farm in the Lewis Bottom area and the family moved to Shellsburg
when Erma was around three years old. Erma was the youngest of three children: Joseph LeRoy (born August 4 1888) and died (Sept 4 1916) when a cistern caved in on him.
Iona Delda (born March 19,1893) and died (June 11 1916
of complications following head operation.
Erma was born (November 3 1906). Both her brother and
sister were very young when they passed away although each were married and had a child at the time of their deaths.
Erma tells that she was quite spoiled as a youngster
having a very nice doll collection and when entering one
of the local stores in Shellsburg was given anything in the line of candy that she wanted. This was given to her by the store owner.
The one thing that Erma tells most about as the type of
dress that she was allowed to wear. As a young lady,
one particular time she wanted to wear a dress that had no sleeves in and her father made her go upstairs and change before she could leave the house to go on her date.
Another thing that Erma told about was that when she went
out on a date her mother would always be waiting at the foot of the stairs for her when she arrived home.
Erma was born in the country east of Shellsburg but later her father bought a home in town where she spent the majority if her youth.
Some of the farm land where the Van Fossen s lived is now under water where the Pleasant Creek Lake is.
The home in Shellsburg was a very large house and was used as a boarding for a time. There were many people that stayed there but the one group that Erma recalls best is the Ingraham Show Troup stayed there for many years. This same home was later bought by one of Everett and Erma's daughter's Decie.
It was remodeled and the upstairs was made into apartments.
The lower level became Clyde and Decie Masons' home.
The dinning room floor in this house was laid by hand, by a Frenchman who stayed at the home for room and board.
There are only three other homes in town laid by the same person.
The name of the flooring was Parquet.
I Granddaughter Sheryl Mason Kurth, remember as a young girl making homemade butter and eating grandmas delious salad dressing cakes with creamy white frosting.
I remember seeing grandma work hard in the gardens and
sew and hustle my aunts around getting there chores done
before grandpa would get home from work and town.
Reciepe in the open line cookbook
PUMPKIN CAKE
2 cups flour, sifted
½ salt teaspoon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves
½ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup thick strained pumpkin
1 cup raisins
¼ cup nuts, chopped
Sift together the first eight ingredients. Cream shortening, add sugar and blend well. Add the egg and beat until fluffy. Add the pumpkin, gradually add the sifted ingredients and stir until smooth. Add nuts, raisins. Bake in a greased 8 inch square cake pan in a moderate oven. 350° for 1 hour. (Mrs. E. L. Cress, Shellsburg, Iowa)
From Family information
Erma was short and olive complection. A hard worker Loved to work outside loved to sew and make quilts and things. Lived on a farm her married life. Raised chickens, loved to have her hair combed she would fall a sleep when I Sheryl Mason Kurth would come over as a little girl. Moved to town latter in life and joined groups and a quilting club that donated quilts to the needy. Joined the Senior Cittizen Club.
Daughter of Jacob Steven A Douglas was born on a farm in the Lewis Bottom area and the family moved to Shellsburg when Erma was around three years old. Erma was the youngest of three children: Joseph LeRoy (born August 4 1888) and died (Sept 4 1916) when a cistern caved in on him. Iona Delda (born March 19,1893) and died (June 11 1916 of complications following head operation. Erma was born (November 3 1906). Both her brother and sister were very young when they passed away although each were married and had a child at the time of their deaths.
Erma tells that she was quite spoiled as a youngster having a very nice doll collection and when entering one of the local stores in Shellsburg was given anything in the line of candy that she wanted. This was given to her by the store owner.
The one thing that Erma tells most about as the type of dress that she was allowed to wear. As a young lady, one particular time she wanted to wear a dress that had no sleeves in and her father made her go upstairs and change before she could leave the house to go on her date. Another thing that Erma told about was that when she went out on a date her mother would always be waiting at the foot of the stairs for her when she arrived home.
Erma was born in the country east of Shellsburg but later her father bought a home in town where she spent the majority if her youth. Some of the farm land where the Van Fossen s lived is now under water where the Pleasant Creek Lake is. The home in Shellsburg was a very large house and was used as a boarding for a time. There were many people that stayed there but the one group that Erma recalls best is the Ingraham Show Troup stayed there for many years. This same home was later bought by one of Everett and Erma's daughter's Decie. It was remodeled and the upstairs was made into apartments. The lower level became Clyde and Decie Masons' home..The dinning room floor in this house was laid by hand, by a Frenchman who stayed at the home for room and board. There are only three other homes in town laid by the same person. The name of the flooring was Parquet.
I Granddaughter Sheryl Mason Kurth, remember as a young girl making homemade butter and eating grandmas delious salad dressing cakes with creamy white frosting. I remember seeing grandma work hard in the gardens and sew and hustle my aunts around getting there chores done before grandpa would get home from work and town.
[deneren-9-12456.ged]
===
CRESS, Erma L (VanFOSSEN); 93; Shellsburg IA; Cedar Rapids Gazette; 2000-3-31; putberg
Born at Lewis Bottom Iowa November 03, 1906
Erma was short and olive complection.
A hard worker Loved to work outside loved to
sew and make quilts and things.
Lived on a farm her married life. Raised chickens, loved to have her hair combed she would fall a sleep when I Sheryl Mason Kurth would come over as a little girl.
Moved to town latter in life and joined groups and a quilting club that donated quilts to the needy. Joined the Senior Cittizen Club.
Daughter of Jacob Steven A Douglas was born on a farm in the Lewis Bottom area and the family moved to Shellsburg
when Erma was around three years old. Erma was the youngest of three children: Joseph LeRoy (born August 4 1888) and died (Sept 4 1916) when a cistern caved in on him.
Iona Delda (born March 19,1893) and died (June 11 1916
of complications following head operation.
Erma was born (November 3 1906). Both her brother and
sister were very young when they passed away although each were married and had a child at the time of their deaths.
Erma tells that she was quite spoiled as a youngster
having a very nice doll collection and when entering one
of the local stores in Shellsburg was given anything in the line of candy that she wanted. This was given to her by the store owner.
The one thing that Erma tells most about as the type of
dress that she was allowed to wear. As a young lady,
one particular time she wanted to wear a dress that had no sleeves in and her father made her go upstairs and change before she could leave the house to go on her date.
Another thing that Erma told about was that when she went
out on a date her mother would always be waiting at the foot of the stairs for her when she arrived home.
Erma was born in the country east of Shellsburg but later her father bought a home in town where she spent the majority if her youth.
Some of the farm land where the Van Fossen s lived is now under water where the Pleasant Creek Lake is.
The home in Shellsburg was a very large house and was used as a boarding for a time. There were many people that stayed there but the one group that Erma recalls best is the Ingraham Show Troup stayed there for many years. This same home was later bought by one of Everett and Erma's daughter's Decie.
It was remodeled and the upstairs was made into apartments.
The lower level became Clyde and Decie Masons' home.
The dinning room floor in this house was laid by hand, by a Frenchman who stayed at the home for room and board.
There are only three other homes in town laid by the same person.
The name of the flooring was Parquet.
I Granddaughter Sheryl Mason Kurth, remember as a young girl making homemade butter and eating grandmas delious salad dressing cakes with creamy white frosting.
I remember seeing grandma work hard in the gardens and
sew and hustle my aunts around getting there chores done
before grandpa would get home from work and town.
Reciepe in the open line cookbook
PUMPKIN CAKE
2 cups flour, sifted
½ salt teaspoon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves
½ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup thick strained pumpkin
1 cup raisins
¼ cup nuts, chopped
Sift together the first eight ingredients. Cream shortening, add sugar and blend well. Add the egg and beat until fluffy. Add the pumpkin, gradually add the sifted ingredients and stir until smooth. Add nuts, raisins. Bake in a greased 8 inch square cake pan in a moderate oven. 350° for 1 hour. (Mrs. E. L. Cress, Shellsburg, Iowa)
From Family information
Daughter of Jacob Steven A Douglas was born on a farm in the Lewis Bottom area and the family moved to Shellsburg when Erma was around three years old. Erma was the youngest of three children: Joseph LeRoy (born August 4 1888) and died (Sept 4 1916) when a cistern caved in on him. Iona Delda (born March 19,1893) and died (June 11 1916 of complications following head operation. Erma was born (November 3 1906). Both her brother and sister were very young when they passed away although each were married and had a child at the time of their deaths.
Erma tells that she was quite spoiled as a youngster having a very nice doll collection and when entering one of the local stores in Shellsburg was given anything in the line of candy that she wanted. This was given to her by the store owner.
The one thing that Erma tells most about as the type of dress that she was allowed to wear. As a young lady, one particular time she wanted to wear a dress that had no sleeves in and her father made her go upstairs and change before she could leave the house to go on her date. Another thing that Erma told about was that when she went out on a date her mother would always be waiting at the foot of the stairs for her when she arrived home.
Erma was born in the country east of Shellsburg but later her father bought a home in town where she spent the majority if her youth. Some of the farm land where the Van Fossen s lived is now under water where the Pleasant Creek Lake is. The home in Shellsburg was a very large house and was used as a boarding for a time. There were many people that stayed there but the one group that Erma recalls best is the Ingraham Show Troup stayed there for many years. This same home was later bought by one of Everett and Erma's daughter's Decie. It was remodeled and the upstairs was made into apartments. The lower level became Clyde and Decie Masons' home..The dinning room floor in this house was laid by hand, by a Frenchman who stayed at the home for room and board. There are only three other homes in town laid by the same person. The name of the flooring was Parquet.
I Granddaughter Sheryl Mason Kurth, remember as a young girl making homemade butter and eating grandmas delious salad dressing cakes with creamy white frosting. I remember seeing grandma work hard in the gardens and sew and hustle my aunts around getting there chores done before grandpa would get home from work and town.
[deneren-9-12456.ged]
===
CRESS, Erma L (VanFOSSEN); 93; Shellsburg IA; Cedar Rapids Gazette; 2000-3-31; putberg
Born at Lewis Bottom Iowa November 03, 1906
Erma was short and olive complection.
A hard worker Loved to work outside loved to
sew and make quilts and things.
Lived on a farm her married life. Raised chickens, loved to have her hair combed she would fall a sleep when I Sheryl Mason Kurth would come over as a little girl.
Moved to town latter in life and joined groups and a quilting club that donated quilts to the needy. Joined the Senior Cittizen Club.
Daughter of Jacob Steven A Douglas was born on a farm in the Lewis Bottom area and the family moved to Shellsburg
when Erma was around three years old. Erma was the youngest of three children: Joseph LeRoy (born August 4 1888) and died (Sept 4 1916) when a cistern caved in on him.
Iona Delda (born March 19,1893) and died (June 11 1916
of complications following head operation.
Erma was born (November 3 1906). Both her brother and
sister were very young when they passed away although each were married and had a child at the time of their deaths.
Erma tells that she was quite spoiled as a youngster
having a very nice doll collection and when entering one
of the local stores in Shellsburg was given anything in the line of candy that she wanted. This was given to her by the store owner.
The one thing that Erma tells most about as the type of
dress that she was allowed to wear. As a young lady,
one particular time she wanted to wear a dress that had no sleeves in and her father made her go upstairs and change before she could leave the house to go on her date.
Another thing that Erma told about was that when she went
out on a date her mother would always be waiting at the foot of the stairs for her when she arrived home.
Erma was born in the country east of Shellsburg but later her father bought a home in town where she spent the majority if her youth.
Some of the farm land where the Van Fossen s lived is now under water where the Pleasant Creek Lake is.
The home in Shellsburg was a very large house and was used as a boarding for a time. There were many people that stayed there but the one group that Erma recalls best is the Ingraham Show Troup stayed there for many years. This same home was later bought by one of Everett and Erma's daughter's Decie.
It was remodeled and the upstairs was made into apartments.
The lower level became Clyde and Decie Masons' home.
The dinning room floor in this house was laid by hand, by a Frenchman who stayed at the home for room and board.
There are only three other homes in town laid by the same person.
The name of the flooring was Parquet.
I Granddaughter Sheryl Mason Kurth, remember as a young girl making homemade butter and eating grandmas delious salad dressing cakes with creamy white frosting.
I remember seeing grandma work hard in the gardens and
sew and hustle my aunts around getting there chores done
before grandpa would get home from work and town.
Reciepe in the open line cookbook
PUMPKIN CAKE
2 cups flour, sifted
½ salt teaspoon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cloves
½ cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup thick strained pumpkin
1 cup raisins
¼ cup nuts, chopped
Sift together the first eight ingredients. Cream shortening, add sugar and blend well. Add the egg and beat until fluffy. Add the pumpkin, gradually add the sifted ingredients and stir until smooth. Add nuts, raisins. Bake in a greased 8 inch square cake pan in a moderate oven. 350° for 1 hour. (Mrs. E. L. Cress, Shellsburg, Iowa)
From Family information
Gravesite Details
Oakwood Cemetery Shellsburg, Iowa
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