Erma Ruth Holmberg

Erma Ruth Barker Fitch Holmberg, 94, of Marathon, NY passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, June 27, 2016 at Cortland Regional Medical Center’s Misty Glen.  Born on November 15, 1921, the daughter of Attorney Rollo Dey and Alta (Hilton) Barker, she was a lifelong resident of the Village of Marathon and a MCS High School graduate, Class of 1942.  She is the last of her generation of siblings: Herbert, Alta, Cora, Clarence, Roy and Charles.  Erma was a successful Marathon business woman who operated a number of businesses in the community including: Fitch’s Soda Fountain, Fitch’s Chicken House Fitch’s 5 and Dime, and Fitch’s (currently known as Reilly’s Café).  While running those businesses by day, she also worked the night shift at Smith-Corona in Cortland.  Active in the community, Erma is a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, a past Matron of the Marathon Chapter 101 Order of the Eastern Stars, past President of the Marathon Alumni Association, and a member of the Cortland County Republican Women’s Club, Marathon Historical Society and American Legion Auxiliary.  She also starred in the community musical “Deadwood Dick” as Calamity Jane and at the age of 93 walked in the Annual Russ Hall St. Jude Walkathon; an event she supported for many years.  Erma enjoyed traveling including a trip to Japan and Europe and many trips to Hawaii.  A talented quilter, she also crocheted and knitted and enjoyed teaching others those crafts.  Erma is survived by her loving son Ron and his wife Maureen of Hawaii, a special nephew she raised like a son, Ken Barker and his wife Donna, stepchildren Donnie Holmberg and Donna Lee Wagner, a sister- in-law, Violet Barker of Canandaigua, a cousin, Dessa Bergen of Skaneateles, many adoring nieces and nephews, a special caregiver, Marguerite Contri Lincoln and special neighbors, Dick and Leni Barry and Ron and Liz Powell. She was predeceased by her first husband, Loren Fitch, in 1960 and second husband, Donald Holmberg, in 2002.  Friends are invited to call at the Nichols Funeral Home, 7323 119th Street, Whitney Point, NY on Friday, July 1st, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and Saturday, July 2nd, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the Marathon Methodist Church with the service beginning at 11:00 am on Saturday with Pastor Gene Jensen officiating.  Interment will follow in the Marathon Cemetery.  Memorials in her honor may be directed to the Marathon United Methodist Church, PO Box 535, Marathon, NY 13803. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.nicholsfuneral.com.

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