Marty Erb

Marty Erb (Martha Jane Davis), 62, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri and formerly of Aberdeen, South Dakota left this world on Saturday September 2, 2017 while resting peacefully in her own home.

Marty was born on August 23, 1955 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Charles Atwood Davis and Helen Margaret Davis (Harper) and raised in Lake Minnetonka, Mound, and Casco Point, Minnesota. She attended Shirley Hills Elementary and Grandview Junior High before graduating in 1973 from Mound-Westonka Senior High School in Minnetrista, Minnesota where she was involved in many activities, including theatre. She also worked during those years in a fabric store owned by her friend and mentor Valerie Elliott.

After moving to California, Marty married Robert Lewis Erb Jr. with whom she had four children. She moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1982 and worked for a few years for Control Data Corp.

More than anything, Marty was a worldstar mother. She worked and struggled for years as a dedicated single parent to provide for her children. Even as the years went by and her children moved away, Marty always found the time to write long handwritten letters and send birthday cards to her children. She was Queen Bee.

Marty lived in the Melrose (Jordan Park) Apartments in Aberdeen from 1983 to 2015. She was the oracle of Melrose. She made many friends and was a second mom to many of her children’s friends through the years. People would come to her almost daily for intelligent conversation, feedback, or to get advice on houseplants. She enjoyed classic television and movies, collecting fridge magnets, buttons, coffee mugs, and bumper stickers; reading the Far Side and Peanuts comics, and anything that made her laugh, listening to The Carpenters, Judy Garland, Christmas music and many other voices on vinyl. Marty did not attend church. Instead she enjoyed having a cat and revered its creator. Late in life she even discovered the joy of internet cat videos.

Marty spent her last years as a galaxystar grandmother. Spending time almost daily with grand kids and secretly indulging them with unhealthy carb and sugar loaded treats, despite the protests of their mothers. Her grandkids were her favorite thing in the world. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Raymond Patrick Davis, her nephew Brian Davis.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses and eight grandchildren: daughters Stephani Bordner (Nicholas) of Pleasant Hill, MO; Shawn Sklenar (Hans) of Lee’s Summit, MO, sons Charles and Christopher Erb (Michelle), both of Aberdeen, SD, and her cat Snickers. Her eight precious grandchildren are Kaitlin, Brett, Jake, Carver, Jane, Eden, McKinley, and Charlie. She is also survived by her sisters Susan Davis (Judy Ficek), Margaret Stelzer (Richard). Her brother Charles Davis (Sylvia) of Groton, SD as well as nieces and nephews. Leah, Geoffrey, Brandon, and Sheryl.

A private family gathering has been planned. Any memorials or flowers can be sent to Christopher Erb at 914 9th Curve, Aberdeen, SD 57401. Flowers will be placed in a garden for grand kids to enjoy. The family asks that to remember Marty, you call your mom, hug your mom (and keep one for yourself), and tell her specifically why you love her.