Erma Gayle Monk

To view Irma’s services click here.

On July 25, 2024, we said goodbye to our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt and friend. Erma Gayle Andersen Monk passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

Erma was born February 20,1931, in Moore, Idaho, to Sylvan and Bessie (McAffee) Andersen.

Erma skipped the 2nd grade and went on to be the Valedictorian of her 8th grade graduation at the Riverview School, Firth, Idaho. She also graduated from Firth High School, on May 14,1948, at the age of 17.

Following graduation, she married Rex Lorain Frandsen on May 24, 1948 and they had 11 children. They later divorced.

She then married Donald Korth August 22, 1968.  They had one son together. They later divorced.

Erma married LeMoyne Monk, October 20,1990, in the Idaho Falls Temple, Idaho Falls, ID.

After going through the first divorce, Erma needed to support her family and so she went back to school. She graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse, graduating on her 40th birthday, in 1971. In 1997, she retired from nursing. She was employed at Bingham Memorial Hospital, in Blackfoot, Idaho. Then moved to Rexburg and worked for Madison Memorial Hospital, and then at the Rexburg Nursing Home where she finished her career after 27 total years.

Erma loved sewing, quilting and canning. Many of her quilts are spread throughout the world. We always had 200-300 quarts of fruits and vegetables to eat every winter.  We always said that if it wasn’t nailed down, mom put it in a jar!

Erma was actively involved in serving the Rigby Community, in the grade school and at the Jefferson County Historical Society Museum. She volunteered at the museum for five years.

Erma, is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved to serve everyone! She loved Relief Society and served as President and as a secretary. She was a faithful visiting teacher for 53 years. It is now called Ministering Sister. You only had to meet Mom for 30 seconds to love her. She has a great testimony of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Her favorite Hymn is, “I Need Thee Every Hour”.

She is survived by her 12 children. Sandra (Robin) Kihm, Terrence (Michele) Frandsen, Marcus (Carol) Frandsen, Daniel Frandsen, Martin (Carey) Frandsen, Chris (Cal) Hulse, Adele Goodsell, Blaine (Leslie) Frandsen, Cynthia (Tom) Long, Noreen (Pete) Enybsk, Susan Hansen, Dewayne Korth.

72 Grandchildren, 91 Great Grandchildren, 14 Great-Great Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters: Gloria Andersen and Naoma Marley. One older brother, Sylvan Jr., and one brother-in-law, Jim Marley.

She is survived by her younger brother and sister-in-law: John (Nell) Andersen, and one sister-in-law, Sandi Andersen.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 401 West 1st South, Rigby, Idaho 83442.  The family will visit with friends Friday evening August 2, 2024 at Eckersell Funeral Home from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.  Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery.