Herma Pearl (Moss) ELWOOD

MOSS, ELWOOD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:59

Herma Pearl Moss Elwood

July 14, 1914 --- April 17, 2004

Funeral services for Herma Elwood, 89, Humboldt, were held Wednesday, April 21 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Humboldt with burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Eagle Grove. She died Saturday, April 17, 2004 at the Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt was in charge of the arrangements with the Rev. Robert Molldrem and Dr. Jennifer Edinger officiating.

Survivors include a son, John Elwood of Marysville, WA and two grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Stoy Elwood; and two brothers Irvin Moss and an infant brother.

Pearl “Herma” Moss, daughter of Ivar and Gunhild Moss was born July 14, 1914 in Roland. Her education began in rural Kanawha, where the family had moved during her early years. She finished eighth grade and then remained at home to help the family, as her mother’s health necessitated help. She also helped with the farm work, including corn picking. At the age of 12, she started doing housework for a neighboring farm wife. While in the Kanawha area, the family attended the rural St. John’s Lutheran Church.

At the age of 14, the family moved to rural Eagle Grove. In January 1935, she was united in marriage to Stoy Elwood. The couple moved to Goldfield, where her husband worked for a farmer named W. S. Darling and Herma helped his wife. They later moved to a farm near Eagle Grove.

About 10 years after their marriage, they became foster parents to two brothers, adopting the younger boy, John, when he was five years old. In 1950, they moved to Humboldt, and she did housework for various people until 1990.

Following her husband’s death in 1969, she remained in their home for six years and then moved to Humboldt Homes in 1988. She was a member of Our Saviour’s Church of Humboldt and the 3L Club.

Humboldt Independent – Humboldt, Iowa
April 22, 2004