Erma Marie Allgood

Erma Marie Allgood, 95, of Adel, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Adel Acres in Adel. A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, with a prayer service to follow at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Eddyville, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport or to St. John’s Catholic Church in Adel toward the purchase of a new chalice.

Erma was born on September 9, 1930, to Wilber Dilley and Mary Carriker in Lacey, Iowa. She attended Oskaloosa High School in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Erma met the love of her life, Arthur Allgood, shortly after he returned home from World War II. The two met at a New Year’s Eve dance after they had both been stood up by their dates. At just 16 years old, Erma married Arthur on June 6, 1947, at the Justice of the Peace in Mahaska County.

Erma worked as an Avon representative and later as a cashier at Easter’s SuperValue, retiring from there in 1982. However, retirement did not last long for Erma. She began working at the information desk at Iowa Methodist Plaza 2, where she continued working until her final retirement on May 28, 2009.

Erma was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee, Iowa, where she was always willing to lend a helping hand, especially when it came time for the annual fall dinner.

Above all, Erma was all about family. She made sure she hosted the holidays, and no family gathering was complete without her famous potato salad. She proudly supported her children and grandchildren at their sporting events and races, always cheering them on from the sidelines. She was known for her chocolate chip cookies, and the grandchildren could often be heard asking, “What’s for breakfast?”

Erma’s laugh was unmistakable and one of the things everyone will remember most about her. She had a love for Alan Jackson, dancing, and, as anyone who knew her could attest, being a wonderfully stubborn woman. She even had a mischievous side, including sneaking into bars underage so she could get her boogie on.

Erma is survived by her daughter, Deborah Pirtle of Waukee, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Andy (Hollie) Pirtle, Joe Pirtle, Monty (Heidi) Pirtle, Steve (Julie) Collett, Tony Collett, Tonya Collett, and Misty Johnson; 15 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a niece, nephew, and cousin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Allgood; daughter, Cinda (Ron) Collett; brother, Dale Dilley; sister, Ruth Oliverson; and numerous beloved pets.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt and enormous thank you to the staff and residents of Adel Acres and to Hospice of the Midwest for the wonderful care, kindness, and compassion shown to Erma and her family.