Erma Garff, daughter of Louis and Amelia

Erma Rosena Garff, the first child of Louis and Amelia Bromley Garff; was the eldest of five, all be born in Lehi.

Erma’s father was an entrepreneur, developing several businesses in Utah County; surely Erma, her two sisters and two brothers were introduced to this world of business from an early age.

Erma’s husband, James LeRoy Cook, was listed as a General Sales Manager at Kinney Coal Co in Midvale, Utah. His death came about in 1924. They had married in Salt Lake City on November 23, 1909. Their first child was born in December of 1910.

I have not located an obituary for Erma, whom I believe passed away in Forest Grove, Oregon. Her husband’s death left her to raise their children, Sherman LeRoy Cook and Wilma Cook, on her own and in the 1940 Census we find her in California with her daughter and granddaughter, employed in sales with a pastry company.

Erma’s death occurred on August 15, 1977 (I also have an alternate date of 1975, so verification is in order). Erma was survived by Sherman and Vivian Yates Cook, Wilma McLean, and three grandchildren. Both her children have since passed away.