Erma Pauline McConnell Scritchfield of Osceola, Iowa, passed away November 30, 2007, at the age of 83. Erma was born in Centerville, Iowa, on April 17, 1924, the fourth child of Ruth Tarrence McConnell and Ira Newman McConnell. She graduated from Centerville High School in 1942, and from the American Institute of Commerce in 1943. On February 17, 1946, she married Doude Dale Scritchfield at the Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa; and, three children were born to that union.

Before her retirement in 1980, Erma had served as executive secretary to five superintendents of schools in Chariton, Centerville, and Osceola, Iowa, and simultaneously as bookkeeper in the Hy Vee Food Stores managed by her husband in Centerville and Osceola. At the time of her death, she was an active and involved volunteer for the public schools and member of the United Methodist Church in Osceola, Daughters of the American Revolution, Osceola’s Women’s Club, Red Hatters, and a variety of other groups.

Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Doude Dale Scritchfield, her parents, a sister, Joan Norton, and a brother, Lowell McConnell. She is survived by three children: daughter, Shirley A. Scritchfield and her husband, Thomas L. Kodera, of Kansas City, Missouri; son, Dale E. Scritchfield and his wife, Marleta, of Nicholasville, Kentucky; daughter, Roberta K. Ashley; three grandchildren: Megan Ramspott and her husband Andrew, of Woodbury, Minnesota; Tyler Scritchfield and his wife, Molly, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Jon Kodera of Astoria, New York; two great-grandchildren: Caden Ramspott and Ainsley Scritchfield; two sisters: Miriam Horstman, of Osceola, Iowa; Rev. Wauneita McConnell, of Indianola, Iowa; one brother: J. Robert McConnell and his wife Pat, of Universal City, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

Erma loved life and lived it to the utmost. She was a great friend to many and a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt whose presence will be missed greatly. Her remains will be cremated and internment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery. A Memorial Celebration of her life will be held at a later date as yet not determined. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa or the United Methodist Church in Osceola, Iowa.