Waneta (Neta) Lucille Erdman, 98, passed away July 3, 2024, after a brief illness at Fairview Haven Retirement Community.
Her funeral will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Chenoa. Pastor KyleRanchetto will be officiating. Burial will be in Chenoa Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:30 a.m. also on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Chenoa.
Neta was born February 24, 1926, on the family farm in Milford, to Joe and Helen Callahan. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Gene Callahan, Fran Callahan, and Jody Pruitt.
After attending Milford High School, she received a scholarship to study education at Illinois State University and completed her BA in education in three years. It was at ISU that she met the love of her life, the late Myron Erdman, and were married for 67 wonderful years.
Following graduation, Neta started her teaching career for two years in Tremont and 28 years as a fifth-grade teacher in Fairbury-Cropsey. A beloved teacher, she received in 1990 the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, as well as being recognized by Who’s Who among American Teachers.
Her other occupation was being a partner with her husband Myron in the operation of Erdman Dairy, Chenoa, as well as raising her three children, Ann (Jim) Meyer of Chenoa, Linda (Bill) Langel and McFarland, WI, and Mark (Tammy Knight) Erdman of Chenoa; grandchildren, Amy Roady, Becky (Jon) Freed, Jeff (Megan) Meyer, Laurie (Josh Carlisle) Langel, David (Taylor) Langel, John (Stephanie) Langel, Kallie (Kade) Allen and Keaton Nolan; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Neta loved to feed and entertain her friends and family. No one went away hungry! She would play cards with her card groups and anyone else who would show up at her house. She also crocheted beautiful gifts for her family.
She was very active at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chenoa. She taught Sunday School and was a member of the Ladies Aide.
The family would like to thank Hospice Care and the staff at Fairview Haven Retirement Community for their kindness and love toward Neta.
Neta said “I was snatched up to Heaven. Alleluia!”
An online registry is available at www.duffypilsmemorialhome.com.
Comments