Erma Merrill Hutchins

Erma Merrill Hutchins, 90, passed away April 1,2020. She and her twin sister, Elma Merrill Madsen, were born November 11, 1929 in Salt Lake City. Their formative years were in East Lansing, MI, then Pullman, WA where at Washington State College she met her future husband of seventy years, Earl Byron Hutchins. They were married August 12, 1949 in Pullman.
They subsequently lived in Richland, WA, where their four children were born, then in Harrington Park, NJ, Connecticut, again Richland and the past 23 years in Highland, CA.
Erma majored in Bacteriology and was a Medical Technician. Her life centered on serving her family and especially leadership roles in her Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She and Earl were fifth generation members and together served three full-time proselyting or leadership missions. She also enjoyed participating in choirs, and was especially noted for her cooking skills.
Erma assisted her families after the birth of the majority of her 19 grandchildren, and led Womens organizations wherever she lived. She was a natural leader, without guile, a cheerful, positive personality with heartfelt compassion for all the people under her care and even people she did not know. She was loved by all who had contact with her and continuously received thank you notes and expressions of gratitude.
Erma is survived by her husband, twin sister and four children: Kathleen (Kathy) Rickertsen (Charles), Lakewood, CO; Marcus (Andrea) Hutchins, Southport, ME; Douglas (Roseann) Hutchins, Tetonia, ID and Von (Jacqueline) Hutchins, Eagle, ID. Besides 19 grandchildren there are 26 remarkable great-grand-children.