Martha Kohl Ervin died peacefully in her home in Bend, Oregon on Friday, December 27, 2013. She was 88. A long-time Claremont resident, Ms. Ervin died surrounded by her family who sang to her, prayed with her and comforted her.

Ms. Ervin was born November 20, 1925 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Kenneth and Margaret Kohl. She grew up as the middle child between her older sister, Jane, and younger brother, Ken. Ms. Ervin graduated from University of Iowa School of Nursing.

In June 1947, she married James Goodall Ervin and the two of them moved to Claremont, California where she spent her younger married years as a nurse. Mrs. Ervin left nursing for a short time to raise her five children at their Claremont home. She lived for her family and celebrated her children’s accomplishments. Ms. Ervin eventually returned to nursing and finished her career at Pomona Valley Hospital as an obstetrics nurse until her retirement.

In the spring of 2006, Ms. Ervin left Claremont and moved to Bend, Oregon to be closer to two of her sons. She left behind her beloved Claremont First Presbyterian Church, of which she was a charter member.

In her free time, Ms. Ervin loved watching sports and cheering on her teams of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs and Bend Lava Bears. While she lived in Claremont her home was her grandchildren’s paradise filled with creative toys, sandbox, basketball hoop, barbecues around the pool and hours of baking in her tiny kitchen. She kept her home active and full of love.

Ms. Ervin specifically requested that her children “go easy on any eulogies.  God does not need to hear a persuasive presentation of my qualifications. He knows better and still has already covered me.” 

Ms. Ervin was predeceased by her husband, James, who died on October 24, 1977. She is survived by her sister, Jane Kemp, her three sons and daughter-in-laws, Mark and Betty (Rogers) Ervin, their children Rian and Bryce; Scott and Diane (Lang) Ervin, their daughter, Kelly; and Todd and Carolyn (Lang) Ervin and their children, Kohleen, Kent and Cori as well as her two daughters and sons-in-law, Claire and Stephen Williams, their daughters Kate, Lydia and Zoe; and Jayne and Dana Smith with their children, Lara, Jenna and Brent.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Presbyterian Church of Bend, “Kits for Kids” program. 230 NE 9th Street Bend, Oregon 97701. Private services will be held at a later date.