Erma Gooch

Jerome - Erma Lee Gooch was called home to be with her Lord Jesus at the age of 84, on February 20, 2015. She was born February 9, 1931 to Elmer Ray and Bertha Jane (Ward) Skiver, in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

In 1933, Elmer, Bertha, their two children, Erma Lee (age 2), Melvin (age 1), and an uncle, packed up and headed for Jerome, Idaho.

They made the trip during the winter, in an old an old Oakland car, with only $30. They stayed with relatives in Jerome until they could get on their feet and get a home for themselves.

She graduated from Jerome High School, May of ‘49. She started nursing training in Boise. However, this was cut short because she fell in love with "Coach" LaVere Gooch.

They were married December 10, 1949 in Burley, Idaho. She felt so blessed to have gotten it right the first time.

Four years later they were blessed with their first daughter, Debra Lynne (1953). Two years after that with another daughter, Linda Lee (1955).

She worked for First Security Bank until the children were born. When she went back to work she worked for Certified Public Accountants for 36 years.

She was a member of the Ladies Lion’s Club; Treasurer for the Fair Board; a member of the St. Benedict’s Auxiliary; served on The Jerome Centennial Committee; was an Ambassador for the Jerome Chamber of Commerce & Secretary for an early new Library Building.

She loved sports: softball (THE KEEL’S COEDS), golf, basketball, bowling, and more. She also loved riding horses.

She loved all kinds of music. She sang with a trio, Melodiers, for many years. The Trio sang for many organizations, Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Lion’s Club, Jaycees Farmer’s Night, Fundraisers (Northwest Christian College), weddings, funerals, Nursing Homes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, on their 57 ^th Anniversary, her parents, grandparents, 3 nieces, and 3 nephews, one son-in-law (Tom Ngirklau), one brother-in-law (Scott Laird), Uncle Gary and many other cherished family & friends.

Surviving family members; her 2 daughters, Debra (Sean) Hodge; Linda (Pat) Thomas; Sisters: Joyce (LeRoy) Craig, Jo’n (Scott deceased) Laird: Brothers: Melvin (Peggy) Skiver and David (Pam) Skiver, Grandchildren- Tighe (Christie) Satterfield, Sky (Launa) Satterfield, Erin (Casey) Wixon and a great grandson (Sam Satterfield); and her aunt Barbara Skiver.

A celebration of life for Erma Lee will be held at 4:00 PM, Monday March 2, 2015, at the Jerome Senior Center at 520 N. Lincoln,  Jerome.  A Visiting time will be at 3:00 pm and MemorialService at 4:00 pm. The ashes of Erma Lee & LaVere will be buried together at the Jerome Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The C.S.I. Foundation; P.O. Box 1238; Twin Falls, ID; Bertha Skiver, Brad Craig, Chance Craig, The First Christian Church of Jerome, or The Idaho Youth Ranch.

Memorials may be sent to Debbie & Sean Hodge; 3527 N 2200 E; Filer, ID 83328 or email dbbhodge40@gmail.com or Joyce Craig; P.O. Box 200; Jerome, ID 83338.

All arrangements are under the direction of Farnsworth Mortuary in Jerome, ID.