Erma Lucille Van Kooten was born on April 28, 1921 in Rural Phillips County, Kansas to James and Mary Belle Foster Stone. She passed from this life on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas. She attended Rural Grade School District #23 in Harlan County, NE. She attended one year of high school at Woodruff High School, Woodruff, KS and graduated from Long Island, Kansas High School in 1938. Following graduation she was employed at Duckwall's Store in Phillipsburg, KS. She married Allen G. Van Kooten on February 14, 1942 in Alma, NE. He survives the home. During WWII years while her husband was in the service, she resided in Norton, KS and was employed at Brown's Clothing Store. In January 1946, she and her husband moved to Randall, KS where he was employed as a teacher in the high school. In 1947 the moved to Concordia, KS where her husband was a high school teacher. Concordia has been her home since that time. Lucille took up duties as a housewife, mother and grandmother. She was busy attending school activities, church and many other community activities. She had accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of twelve in the Woodruff, KS Evangelical Church and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Concordia, KS. She is survived by her husband, Allen Van Kooten of the home, a daughter, Linda Lucas and Hus. Jack, Goodland, KS, a sister, Betty Miller, Columbus, NE, brothers, Melvin Stone and wife Helen, Greeley, CO, Stanley Stone and wife Mina, Mesquite, NV, grandchildren, Cortney Kirchner and Hus. Jason, Spring Hill, KS, Mia Rainbolt and Hus. Christian, Greeley, CO, Jocelyn Lucas, Lawrence, KS, great grandchildren, Bryce Allen Kirchner, Spring Hill, KS, Lily Grace Rainbolt, Greeley, CO, several nieces, nephews relatives and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Lela Simpson and a brother Donald Stone. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church, Concordia, KS with Rev. Sandra K. Moore officiating. Visitation will be held from 9 AM to 9 PM, Friday, December 7, 2007 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home where the family will greet friends from 7-8:30 PM. Burial will follow the services at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia, KS. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church.