James Jim A Erb

James A. Erb, 88, Bismarck, died August 28, 2014, at Baptist Health Care Center, Bismarck. Services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, September 1, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Nadine Lehr officiating. Burial will be held at 3:00 pm Friday, September 5, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Sunday, August 31, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. James A. Erb was born November 16, 1925, in Fargo, ND, to J.C. "Cliff" and Eline Stene Erb. Jim attended high school in Ryder and from there went into the Navy in which he served during World War II aboard the USS Richmond C1-9 for over two years. Jim was very proud to serve in the military and was equally proud that his son Jay and grandson Jim served as well. Jim married Yvonne Giffey on June 29, 1947, at Zion Lutheran Church in Minot. He was a partsman for TW Simmons International Dealer for 10 years and then became a rural letter carrier out of Ryder and later served patrons of Plaza and Makoti for almost 34 years. He also farmed and raised sheep during this period. Jim was active in Ryder during his years there with American Legion Club, 4-H leader and was a member and served on the council at St. John's Lutheran Church and was currently a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Jim was past President of the Rural Letter Carriers Association. Jim retired October 3, 1990, and in July 1992, he and Yvonne moved to Bismarck. They spent summers in Bismarck and winters in Mesa, AZ, for 17 years. They enjoyed all their Ryder friends in Mesa along with the new friends they met. They loved their get-togethers and the many golf outings they shared with friends. In 2007 they discontinued going South for the winters and made Bismarck their permanent home. In March 2011 they sold their condo and moved into Edgewood Vista Independent Living. Jim had a love for all animals but especially horses. He had a memory that was sharp as a tack and loved to tell stories dating back to when he was a small child. He could remember vividly a snowstorm that was way back in time and he could remember every horse he ever rode along with their name. Jim was a hard-working man, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had nicknames for almost everybody that he held dear to his heart. He loved nothing better than holding his great-grandchildren in his arms. He is survived by his wife Yvonne of 67 years; two sons, Jay, Apache Junction, AZ, and Kim, Stanley, ND; daughter and son-in-law, Don and Tondi McGuire, Mandan; his grandchildren, James, Robert Nikki Erb, Angela Seth Guenther, Amanda Brett Joersz, and Amber Jeremy Braaflat; and great-grandchildren, Grace, Aden, Sammy, John and Maggie Guenther, Elsie Erb, Mae Joersz, Aleah and Harper Braaflat Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth; and granddaughter, Heidi.

James Jim A Erb

November 16, 1925 - August 28, 2014