Erma Coovert

Long Beach WA resident Erma M. Coovert, 84, died peacefully October 17, 2007 at a local hospital. She was born Irmgard Margaret Riess on March 23, 1923 in Cass Lake, Minnesota. She was the youngest of nine children born to Michael and Eva (Niefer) Riess. She was raised and graduated from high school in Klickitat, WA. Erma obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Central Washington College of Education, a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Oregon and a second Masters Degree in Librarianship from the University of Denver Colorado. She taught school in Vancouver, WA for many years until her retirement in 1977. Erma married Everett R. Coovert in 1957. They later divorced. In 1998 she moved to Long Beach to be near her nephew and wife, Gerald and Nancy Dunn of Ocean Park, WA. She was a life long member of Memorial Lutheran Church in Vancouver and once moving to the Peninsula, became a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Long Beach. Sisters Ethel Babbitt of Katy Texas and Rose Morris of Washington State, as well as numerous nieces and nephews survive Erma. At her request, no formal services are to be held. Arrangement entrusted to Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach. View the online obituary at www.penttilaschapel.com.