Erma Cecilia Winkelman, born Erma Cecilia Budmayr, 93, Spearfish, died Monday, July 25, 2011, at the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center.

Erma was born on October 27, 1917, at the family ranch home west of Belle Fourche to Frank and Theresa Budmayr. She was one of nine children; seven girls and two boys.

She married the late Harold Gray and together they had one daughter, Marlene. Erma later married Kenneth Winkelman in 1974 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Deadwood. Together they raised Norman and Karan, Ken's children, as well as Diane and Dale, Erma's grandchildren.

She pursued a variety of business interests during her life. They included restaurant owner, hairdresser, piano player, and gift shop owner. Erma was a proud, independent woman and every venture she undertook she put in 100%. Some of the businesses she established and operated were the Halfway House Supper Club, '76 Motel and Restaurant, '76 Liquor Store, and the Prospector Gift Shop. After owning the Prospector Gift Shop for 15 years, she and Ken sold it in 1984. They then traveled and enjoyed their retirement. Whether it was working, playing or pursuing hobbies (hunting and bowling to name but two), she found happiness in all areas of life. She remained a devoted, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy.

Erma was always quick-witted, even after several health issues her resilience showed and she never failed to humor people with her witty comments. Her family is grateful that Erma died peacefully and without pain; she was ready to go to Heaven after living a full and prosperous life. She will be greatly missed.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Ken Winkelman, Spearfish; two daughters, Marlene Oliver, Rapid City and Karan Macy, Great Falls, MT; one son, Norman (Edda) Winkelman, Spearfish; grandchildren include Diane Colhoff, Rapid City, Dale Arsaga, Spearfish, Danny Shepersky, Las Vegas, NV, Joe Winkelman, Virginia, Kenna Macy, Sioux Falls, SD, Morgan and Madison Macy of Great Falls, MT. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson; and two sisters, Emma Daiss, Spearfish, and Pearl Aylesworth, DeSoto, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Harold, two brothers, Louis Budmayr and Kenneth Budmayr, sisters; Geneva Budmayr, Katharine Bauernfeind, Pauline Buttman, and Josephine Pfleger.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, July 31 in Spearfish at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel, with Vigil services at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 1 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.