Erma Lella

Erma June Lella , 77, of Sumner, Iowa, and formerly of the Zion area, died on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, at Allen Hospital, Waterloo, Iowa. Erma was born on March 2, 1932, in Maryville, TN, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sumner, Iowa, and a former member of the First Baptist Church of Winthrop Harbor. Her crowning achievement in life was to raise 6 children while working as a waitress for many restaurants in the Zion area. Erma is survived by those children, Mickey and Tony Patty of Maryville, TN, Cathy Icks of Genoa City, WI, Chris (Gloria) Patty of Sumner, Iowa, Penny (Greg) Jones of Keosauqua, Iowa, and David (Sym) Patty of Mineto, New York; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; sister, Sandy Patty of Maryville, TN; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Lella; and sisters, Mary and Sherry. A Chapel Interment Service will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, 1436 Kenosha Rd., Zion.