Mary A. Erm

Mary was born on March 23, 1934 in Menominee, MI to Eugene and Jane (Grabowsky) Christianson. She grew up on Lake Michigan and was a graduate of Menominee Senior High School in 1952. She then attended Northern Michigan University and graduated with an Art Education degree in 1957.

Mary met John D. Erm while attending NMU and they married on September 1, 1956 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Birch Creek, MI. John was in the Air Force and they lived briefly in Duluth, MN before returning to Marquette to raise their family.

Mary enjoyed gardening, sewing, using her artistic talent to make her home lovely and inviting, refinishing furniture, reading, traveling with John, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and friends. She enjoyed helping out with her daughters’ in-home daycare and serving on the altar society at her church over the years. She was quick with a sassy comment, strong, fun, intelligent and caring.

She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Erm of Marquette, Nancy Erm of Marquette, Susan (Greg) Britton of Marquette, and Julie (Scott) Wilson of Pine River, WI; three grandchildren, Adam (Amber) Hall, Jeri (Chad) Nyberg, and James (Morgan) Britton; four great-grandchildren, Oliver and Lilah Hall and Julia and Dean Britton; siblings, James (Carla) Christianson, Thomas (Mary Ann Crawford) Christianson and Nora Tankersley, aunt Evelyn Christianson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband John D. Erm and her parents Eugene and Jane Christianson.

Mary wanted to make sure her appreciation was extended to her special friends at Tourville Apartments; Erna, Vicki, and Jeff, and all the staff at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living. The family would also like to thank the staff of UP Home Health and Hospice and Trillium House.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 2119 Presque Isle Ave. Marquette, MI 49855 or Trillium House, 1144 Northland Dr. Marquette, MI 49855.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. until the time of the service in the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting Mary’s family where memories and condolence may be shared at canalefuneral.com.