Erma Conder

Erma Conder, 95, passed away on May 25, 2019 at River Meadows Assisted Living in Alpine, UT. She was born on December 9, 1923 in Spanish Fork, Utah to Forrest and Jennie Jensen Evans. She was the 4th child of ten children.  Her Mom died when Erma was a teenager and so she became the primary caretaker for the other children in the family.  She was raised to have a strong work ethic and to care for others.  The Evans’ gatherings were always filled with food, fun, constant jokes and pranks.

Erma was a hair stylist for 40+ years.  She started her hair business in her home on Main Street in American Fork and later built a separate shop next door.  With little money and limited business knowledge she created “Erma’s House of Beauty” which employed several young ladies who became her second family.  The business became a place of love, fun and a lifetime of friendships.  What she found most difficult in business was to occasionally increase the prices. Many of the older patrons paid the same price over the years, and the less fortunate paid nothing. The price often included a ride to and from the shop if you didn’t have transportation. After retiring she and her “girls” (Jalee, Carol, Patsy, Marsha, Roanna, Joy, Darlene, Pam, Marianne, Shirley, and Jolene) continued their relationship through regular parties and dinners.

In her early years Erma was politically active for the Democratic Party in Utah County, ultimately serving as the County Chair Person.  After retiring from her business she was a volunteer “Pink Lady” at American Fork Hospital, where she became famous for her hospital burgers.  She held various positions in her LDS church ward and also worked at the LDS temple in Provo. She was an avid sports fan throughout her life, especially basketball.  She loved the Jazz, BYU and of course the Cavemen. She was especially fond of Colleen’s mother, Deon McCormick. We would often see them holding hands at outings to plays, dinners or family gatherings.

Erma is survived by her son Don (Colleen) Sorensen; her Step Sons: Gerald (Kathy) Conder; Mike (Connie) Conder; Her brother Allen Evans; Nine Grandchildren and Twenty-two Great Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her first husband Lamar Sorensen and also from a later marriage her second husband Morlin Conder; her daughter Marie Colledge; son-in-law Steve Colledge; Six brothers Glen, Paul, John, Dean, Lee and Cliff; Two sisters Esther and Jolene.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at River Meadows for the love and great care the past 5 ½ years.  Also, Symbii Hospice for the care and comfort provided in her final days prior to her passing.

Funeral services will be held Friday May 31, 2019 at 11:00 am in the Andersons & Sons Mortuary Chapel, 49 E 100 N, American Fork. UT. Viewings will be held Thursday from 6-8 pm at Anderson & Sons Mortuary and Friday morning from 9:45 – 10:45 am prior to the services. Burial will be in the American Fork Cemetery. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com