Erma Walz

Age 97, longtime resident of Albuquerque, passed away at the Montebello on November 13, 2012. She is survived by her niece, Erma Jean Schultz of Vallejo, CA; grandniece, Kelley Crow of American Canyon, CA; and sister- in-law, Teresa Houdek of Mahnomen, MN. Erma was preceded in death by her parents; her brother; and her husband, Pete. She was born near Muskogee, OK. Erma's parents were enrolled members of the Cherokee Tribe of Oklahoma. She was a graduate of Haskell Indian School in Lawrence, KS, and employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. for 35 years. In 1965 she was named Chief of the Division of Tribal Operations. While with the BIA, she met and married Peter F. Walz from Mahnomen, MN. Pete and Erma retired from the BIA and selected Albuquerque for their home in 1970. They were charter members of the Sangre de Cristo Catholic Community. In 1997, Erma moved to the Montebello. A special thank you to the staff for the excellent care she received. Mass will be celebrated Friday, November 16, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery Chapel, 7999 Wyoming Blvd. NE, with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.