Erma Hazel (Niss) Rosen was born on September 4, 1920 to John and Linnie Niss. She attended country school in Waverly Township and then Fairmont High School. After high school Erma worked at Fairmont Railway Motors. On April 29, 1942, she married and had two sons together, Thomas and Richard.

First and foremost Erma loved being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, her family was the light of her life. She thrived with her friendships, whether it was playing bridge with her friends or hosting visitors for coffee and dessert. She was involved with the Martin County Historical Society and active in the First Congregational, UCC where she taught Sunday school and served as a Deaconess.

Erma loved and respected the nursing profession. She is the reason FCH Foundation has such a substantial nursing scholarship opportunity. Erma had dreams of becoming a nurse, but her life situation prevented that from becoming reality. Living on a farm, live was tough for her parents and siblings.

"But I was raised by a very loving, giving mother," Rosen said. "She would take care of sick people. She even delivered babies. I wanted to be like my mother. I always wanted to help, so growing up, the nursing career was the one profession that caught my eye." However, with financial setbacks, Erma had to give up on the idea of college.