Erva Loomis Merow (1922–2008)

She loved to tell children she was born in a log cabin, deep in a forest called 'The Coulee'. She grew up with the Winnebago Indians and later returned to the reservation to teach the lower four grades. Erva graduated from Platteville Normal School and began teaching in 1943. She received a Bachelors degree in Special Education from Carthage College and taught in the Kenosha Unified School District's Special Education program for 29 years, retiring in 1985. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. Following the death of her husband, Erva became a volunteer missionary, serving short-terms in Africa, Bolivia, and Israel. Erva was an active volunteer in many church and community organizations. She received the state Easter Seals award for 50 years of volunteer work. This year, Erva was awarded the 'Hall of Fame Award' from University of Wisconsin Platteville. Erva was a published writer of children's books and poetry. She loved to dance.