Erma Paveline Polage of Fairbury, NE formerly Alexandria, NE the daughter of Emil and Stella (Kucera) Bedlan was born January 25, 1918 on a farm near Milligan, NE. She departed this life Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Gardenside Long-Term Care Center in Fairbury, NE at the age of 97 years.
She was baptized at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milligan, NE and confirmed July 8, 1945 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning, NE by Pastor J.B. Cronck.
Erma grew up in the Milligan area attending country school through the 8th grade, then due to the great depression, she had to work to help her family. She helped farm ladies with housework and started as a waitress in Belvidere, Alexandria and Wilber before she was married.
Erma married Emmitt Ervin Polage October 9, 1938 in Belleville, KS. This union was blessed with the birth of one daughter Stella Marie.
During WWII Emmitt and Erma traveled to California looking for work. After four months they returned to Nebraska starting their own farm in the Bruning, Hebron, and Alexandria areas using horses. Times were tough and she worked for area farmers, Roy Marsh, Merle Brinegar, John Bright, Don Kerwood, John Yoachim and Frank Babka cleaning and cooking to help make ends meet.
She enjoyed making quilts, first one for warmth and then later for the grandchildren and great- grandchildren, she also baked for the family making delicious kolaches at Christmas time. The couple loved to dance, going often to area dances enjoying each other and the visiting with friends.
After the couples so called retirement they had 300 to 400 laying hens and sold eggs to many people in Hebron and surrounding area. They also milked cows and sold cream and depending on the time of year sold strawberries. Erma also had a large garden and believed in hard work.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Emmitt December 24, 2014, granddaughter Janet K. Vorderstrasse, brothers-in-law Harry Hasselbring and Jack Houser, one sister Mildred Hasselbring and husband Henry.
She is survived by her daughter Stella and husband Dail of Alexandria, three grandsons; Brad Vorderstrasse and wife Gina of Alliance, NE, Jarrod and wife Becky of Blue Springs, NE, and Todd and wife Diane of Alexandria, NE, two sisters; Everna Hasselbring of Fairbury, NE, and Darlene Houser of Bruning several great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bruning, NE at 11AM. Officiants Pastors Connie Raess and Lana Likens. Visitation will be Tuesday 1PM to 7Pm at Kroll Funeral Home in Hebron, NE, organist will be Janelle Bruning, congregational hymns; "Precious Lord Take My Hand", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and "Angels From The Realms Of Glory", soloist Betty Edzards, special music "In The Garden", casket bearers; Todd, Brad, and Jerrod Vorderstrasse, Max Hasselbring, Dave Rippe and Tom Houser, burial will be in the Alexandria Cemetery at 1PM, condolences may be left at www.krollfh.com, memorial to the Alexandria Volunteer Rescue Unit or Alexandria Community Club. Services conducted by Kroll Funeral Home in Hebron, NE.