Ervin Lenarz

Ervin Felix Lenarz, age 81, of Brandon, died Thursday, July 4, 2013, at Douglas County Hospital surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 8, 2013, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Millerville with Fr. Matthew Crane officiating. Music will be provided by Kim Byrne, Laura Lenarz, Angie Thoennes, Becky Barrows, Sammi Kerr, Cassandra and Kendra Klimek. Burial will take place at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m., 6:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Rosary, 7:00 p.m., parish prayer service, Sunday at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Millerville. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Ervin was born May 6, 1932, shortly after his twin brother, Marvin, to Leo and Helen (Kroll) Lenarz at home in Effington Township, near Urbank. He grew up on the family farm where he helped his dad with the farming and livestock business. He went with his brother, Marvin to the Faribault School for the Blind for a year. He attended Country School District #85, before completing his education at the Sacred Heart School in Urbank. Ervin was always a true farmer and was in high demand, working for many farmers in the Urbank area. He was united in marriage on his 25th birthday to Darlene Prazak May 6, 1957. They were blessed with ten children and farmed together for 28 years, until Darlene passed away in May of 1985. Ervin was united in marriage to Orletta Eisenhuth October 25, 1986. He continued farming until his retirement in 1997. Ervin and Orletta took many trips visiting, Hawaii, Mexico and Alaska to name a few. They were privileged to winter in Arizona the past four years. He was a life-long member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus for over 50 years, and served on the Millerville Creamery Board. Ervin loved his family deeply and enjoyed family get-togethers, playing cards, traveling and birthday casino trips with his girls.

Ervin is survived by his wife of 26 years, Orletta; children, Joseph of Brandon, Stephen (Holly) of Glenwood, Mary (Donald) Woida of Brandon, David (Barbara) and Patricia (Anthony) Hawkenson both of Alexandria, John (Leah) of Moorhead, Sharon (Joseph) Klimek of Vining, James (Laura) of Benson, Michael (Jennifer) and Ronald (Marissa) both of Alexandria; sister, Dorothy Cavalier of Newport; two brothers, Norbert (Kathy) of Brandon and Norman (Mary) of Evansville; sister-in-law, Diane (Gerald) Anderson of Evansville; brother-in-law, Curtis (Lynette) Thaemert of Mayer; 21 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; step-children, Susan (Paul) Nelson of Bastrop, Texas, Daniel Eisenhuth of Fergus Falls, Peter (Jennifer) Eisenhuth of Mendota Heights, Glen Eisenhuth of Fort Defiance, Arizona and Jennifer (Brad) Herzberg of Fergus Falls; five step-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Ervin was preceded in death by his parents; step-mom, Emma; wife, Darlene; step-son, Jeffrey Eisenhuth; brother, Marvin; sisters, Marcine Miessner and Elaine Fischback; brothers-in-law, Bob Miessner, Jerry Fischback and Gerald Koep; sisters-in-law, Patricia Koep and Carol Thaemert.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Eric Lenarz, Shaun Hawkenson, Fordyce Lenarz, Tyler Lenarz, Isaac Lenarz and Daniel Lenarz. Honorary pallbearers will be the remaining grandchildren, Shelby, Angeline, Rebecca, Samantha, Chelsea, Sondra, Megan, Cassandra, Kendra, Matthew, Samuel, Ethan, Reed, Addeline and Teagan.

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