Erwin F. Heier

Erwin F. Heier, 99, Eureka, died Friday, April 26, 2024 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 2, 2024 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Eureka, with Father Mark Axtmann, Celebrant. Interment is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Hague, N.D.

Visitation will be at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka, from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday.

Erwin Francis Heier, son of Catherine (Feist) and Michael Heier, was born near Hague on July 22, 1924. He grew up on the family farm five miles southwest of Hague and attended rural School. Following his schooling, he did various work such as laying cement block, building pole barns, and overhauling engines, in addition to helping on the family farm.

Erwin married Elaine Wacker at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hague on November 30, 1968. They made their home on her family homestead northeast of Herreid. In 1972, they relocated to Eureka where Erwin was employed as a mechanic for the Massey-Ferguson Dealership. He then took a job as the plant manager at the Eureka Community Hospital, retiring from there in 1995, after 18 years of service.

In retirement, he enjoyed tinkering on lawn motors, especially Lawn Boys. Erwin was musically inclined, playing guitar and harmonica for the Herbert Ottenbacher Band. Later, he and Leo Schumacher played music at nursing homes around the area. He enjoyed dancing waltzes and polkas. Erwin didn't marry until he was 44, and that may be why it's been said that he was Best Man at countless weddings.

Erwin is survived by two daughters, Sandy (Rodney) Kirschenmann of Hosmer and Deb (John) Cornelius of Aberdeen; two brothers, Leo (Johanna) Heier of Bismarck, N.D. and Tony Heier of Aberdeen; six grandchildren, Tyler Gross, Madison Gross, Cody Kirschenmann, Katie Kirschenmann, Nicole Anderson, and Jennifer Braun; and two great grandchildren, Arlee and J.W.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, on December 3, 2009; his parents, Michael and Catherine; six brothers, Pete, Julius, Rainer, Leonard, William, and Timothy; and four sisters, Magdalena Heilman, Emma Knoll, Leonita Heilman, and Helen Schuh.

Casketbearers will be grandsons Cody and Tyler; sons-in-law John and Rodney; and Jim Heier of Aberdeen and Bryce Rohrbach of Roscoe.

Musicians will be Carie Kappes and Earl Mehlhaff. Lector will be granddaughter Madison and Offertory Gift Bearers will be granddaughters Katie and Madison.

Erwin's funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page. Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel of Eureka. (www.MillerLienFH.com)