Erma Westblade

March 25, 2024

Erma Baker Westblade, 95, of Salina, KS, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024, at Pinnacle Park Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born January 26, 1929, in McClure, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Charles K. Baker and Lillie (Lepley) Baker. On August 14, 1965, she married Wayne Westblade at Fort Riley Kansas.
She received her Bachelors in Religious Studies from Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and afterward prepared for a career as a missionary where she was assigned as a religious advisor to Fort Riley Army dependents. After marrying Wayne, she embarked on many careers as a farmer, cook, caterer, and finally as a legal secretary in Wayne’s law firm while raising her children and spending countless hours volunteering for church and scouting organizations.
Erma was an avid DIYer before the term existed. She could build anything including laying her own concrete and building cabinets. She supported many causes and was a strong advocate of mission work her entire life.
In addition to Wayne, she is survived by two daughters, Miriam Holzmeister (Greg) of Gypsum, KS, and Rebecca Guthrie (Carl) of Noblesville, IN, three granddaughters, Rachel Byarlay (Aaron) of Colby, KS, Victoria Jones (Brady) of Gypsum, KS, and Morgan Guthrie of Noblesville, IN, two great granddaughters Annabelle Jones and Ariana Byarlay, and two sisters, Janet Baker of Lebanon, PA, and Hope Derr of Greenbackville, VA. as well as many nieces and nephews and brother and sisters in law.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Kenneth Baker, Gordon Baker, and Donald Baker and Marc Moreano, nephew.
Friends and family may call from 10 am – 11 am Tuesday, March 26 at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, 304 W. Grand Ave. Salina, KS, with services following at Grand Avenue UMC.
Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg, KS after a church luncheon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grand Avenue UMC, 304 W. Grand Ave., Salina, KS, 67401.