Erma Edna Platter

Erma Edna Platter, aged 87, died peacefully at her home July 3, 2026. She was born December 11, 1938, to Walter and Eva (Hemenway) Alexander in North Platte, Nebraska. The family moved to Tacoma, Washington, where she attended high school. She met Earl Franklin Stoddard in North Platte and they were wed October 5, 1956. When Earl died in 1986, with their six children grown, Erma joined the Peace Corps and served in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Upon her return she moved to Tacoma, Washington, to be near her sisters. She met Delbert Platter and married him November 23, 1991. The couple resided in Bonney Lake, Washington.

Throughout her life, Erma loved to design and create. She was an award-winning member of the Nebraska Florists Society, arranged flowers for her church, and volunteered for more than 20 years at the Gateway Medical Alliance in Kent, Washington. She was a patient teacher, sharing her skills with others. Erma and Delbert also went on mission trips to Belgium and Morocco. When asked how many children she had, Erma proudly replied “nine.”

Preceding her in death were her parents Walter and Eva, her husband Earl Stoddard, her brother Wayne (Rose) Alexander, and her sisters Gladys (Richard) Legas, Mildred (Herbert) Smith, Lola Alexander, Doris (Bud) Ard and Helen (Robert) Globe. She is survived by her husband, Del, and children, Gary Stoddard, Kathleen (Homan) Stoddard, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Marla (Bud) Haines, North Platte, Nebraska; Doug (Bonnie Killin) Stoddard, Littleton, Colorado; Nancy (Neal) McCarter, Fresno, California; Linda (JW) Flentje, Rolla, Missouri; Jodi (Glenn) Davis, North Platte Nebraska; Danny (Connie) Platter, Edgewood, Washington; Linda (Richard) Craig, Puyallup, Washington; and Diana (Robert) Brackett, Federal Way, Washington. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and special neighbors, Angie and Tim Sulivan.

Erma recognized Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and is currently rejoicing, creating and singing in heaven.

Services and memorial are pending.