Erma DeGrote

Erma Lorraine DeGrote, age 94, Clara City, passed away in her home on February 11, 2026. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 18, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City at 11 am. Visitation begins one hour prior to the service.

Erma's service will be livestreamed on the church's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/immanuellutheranclaracity

Erma was born to August Frederick Klenke and Grace Marie Gerdes Klenke on January 12, 1932, in Stoneham Township, Chippewa County. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran. She graduated from Clara City High School in 1950. Her first job after graduation was clerk at Larson’s grocery store.

On January 29, 1953, Erma married Simon (Bud) Harm DeGrote in Clara City. In March 1956, Bud began his service in the United States Army. Erma remained in Clara City with her parents until their first child was born, and then they made their home in Fort Benning, Georgia, until 1958.

In 1960, when Bud began his lifetime work of auto body and repair in the Phillips 66 gas station in Clara City, Erma began her lifetime work of bookkeeper and silent partner…although sometimes not so silent. In 1965, Bud and Erma established DeGrote Auto Sales.

After retirement in 1992, Erma and Bud wintered in Donna, Texas, for many years, where they made deep and lasting friendships.

Many of Erma’s favorite memories took place ON a lake or a river, even though she was not fond of being IN a lake or a river. Her first dates with Bud were fishing on Willmar area lakes. Camping with family and friends made summers fly by: Green Lake, Diamond Lake, Lake Andrew, Pelican Lake, Lake of the Woods, Missouri River, Rainy River, to name a few. In 1973, Erma and Bud purchased a cabin on Lake Minnewaska that became the family’s cherished gathering spot in the summer. Even though she didn’t like swimming, she delighted in watching her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids swim and ski and tube and play in the water. On a really hot summer day, you might even find her floating on an inner tube…in about a foot of water.

A faith-filled member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Erma served on the Altar Guild, as a Sunday School Teacher, as an active Circle participant, and visited the homebound. When attending worship in person on Sunday mornings became difficult, she learned how to operate a tablet so she could live-stream services and worship along with her Immanuel congregation.

Erma is survived by children Judy and Bradley Korn, Alexandria; Bruce and Joyce DeGrote, Sauk Rapids; and Cindy and Harlan Steenstra, Loretto. Her grandchildren are Jeremy Korn and Mary Stade, Minneapolis; Barry and Stacy Korn, Woodbury; JoAnna and Joshua Breding, Horace, North Dakota; Angie DeGrote and Cole Bauer, St. Cloud; Jodi and Peter Atterberg, Fargo, North Dakota, Brian and Casey DeGrote, St. Michael; Nathan Steenstra, Loretto; Nicole Steenstra, St. Louis Park. Erma’s great grandchildren are Sophia, William, Claire, and Benjamin Breding; Grace and Owen Atterberg; Calvin and Eddie Bauer; August Korn, and Erin Lorraine DeGrote.

Erma is also survived by her sister-in-law Mary Klenke, brother and sister-in-law Virgil and Jeanne DeGrote, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, who passed away in 2018; her parents; sister and brother-in-law Evelyn and Louis DeBower; brother Clarence Klenke; sisters- in-law and brothers-in-law Harm and Marilyn DeGrote, and Frances and Willy DeGrote.