Erna Irene Ehrmann

Erna Irene Ehrmann, 98, Bismarck, took the hand of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and finished her journey home on January 10, 2019, at St. Gabriel’s Community, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, January 12, at Calvary Free Lutheran Church, 417 S. Anderson St., Bismarck, with Pastor Kerry Stastny officiating. Burial will be held at a later date at the Eureka Lutheran Cemetery, Eureka, SD. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Friday, January 11, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Erna was born April 6, 1920, to Rev. Adolph and Wilhemina (Schoenthaler) Doering in Tallmadge, NE. Upon leaving there, the family spent a relatively short period of time in Wymor, NE, and then moved to Zeeland, ND, where they lived for 13 years. From 1935 – 1939, her father served in Golden Valley, ND. She graduated from high school there and then in 1941 graduated from Dickinson Normal School with her degree, teaching afterwards in several rural schools. Erna married Edwin Ruben Ehrmann on May 8, 1943, in Montgomery, AL, and after WWII they took over the family farm which was located seven miles west of Eureka, SD, until their retirement in 1978 when they moved into Eureka. After Edwin’s death in 1990, she moved to Bismarck, ND, where she resided for 28 years until she went on to her heavenly home. Erma enjoyed being active and involved throughout her life-participating in and holding leadership positions in the Blue Bells 4-H Club, the Home Extension Club of Campbell County and the Zion Lutheran Church’s women’s organization. She was on the Board of Directors for the Eureka Pioneer Museum serving on the Prairie Arts Committee. She faithfully taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday School for many years, often serving as Sunday School Superintendent. Two of her favorite pastimes were quilting and gardening while still taking an active interest in current events and the community. Erna embraced life, enjoying the present and looking forward to the future with optimism. She built her life on the foundation of her Savior Jesus Christ. She was known for her positive attitude-being quick to forgive and never carrying a grudge. She enjoyed being a friend to all and had a patient, listening ear to anyone who needed encouragement in their walk-through life. She led her family by example and was always ready to serve others in whatever capacity was needed. Erna will be deeply missed by her daughter, Connie Volk; two grandchildren, Jennifer Anderson and Stephanie (John) Kuhn; three great-grandchildren, Joshua, Jonathan, and Valerie Kuhn; one niece, Janet Miller; one nephew, Harry Allmendinger; and one former son-in-law, Ardell Johansen. Erna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Gerhart Doering; sister, Ruth Miller; and son-in-law, Pius Volk. The family extends their most grateful appreciation to all of Erna’s St. Gabriel’s family for their consistent sweet, gentle, loving care!