John Erling

John Erling, 85, Bismarck, died April 12, 2006 at his home. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:30 AM at Church of St. Anne in Bismarck with Rev. Ed Wehner officiating. Burial will be at the ND Veteran's Cemetery in Mandan. Visitation will be Saturday from 3 - 9 PM and Sunday from 5 - 9 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service. A prayer service will be held on Sunday at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. John was born September 30, 1920 in Wentworth, SD, the son of Bill and Anne Erling. He attended school in Wentworth until the third grade when the family moved to South Shore, SD. He graduated from South Shore High School in 1939, where John was very active in sports and band. In December of 1941, he enlisted in the Army in Fargo, ND. John spent over three years in European Theater operations, starting with the Invasion of Africa in November 1942. He was discharged from the service in 1945. He returned to North Dakota and began working for Northern Improvement, retiring from there in 1986. John married his long time love, Lois Idell Johnson from Fort Ranson, ND, in November 1945. Four sons and one daughter were born to this union. John's hobbies were hunting, fishing, and golf. He loved the great outdoors and spending time with his many friends. He was a life member of the Elks, VFW, American Legion, Amvets and Cootie 40/8. John is survived by his four sons, Greg Linda Erling of Raleigh, NC, Scott Terri Erling, Chuck Tina Erling all of Bismarck, and Jon Kim Erling of Killdeer, ND; his daughter, Patricia Richard Erling-Braun of Colorado Springs, CO; his fourteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Tom Erling of Palm Beach, FL and Bill Leanore Erling of Jamestown, ND; and one sister, Mary Lee of Springfield, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Anne Erling, his wife of 52 years Lois, his brother and sister-in-law David and Chrissie Erling, his sister Helen and brother-in-law Bob Frauens, his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Erling and his brother-in-law, D.C. Lee. John will be missed very much by his family and friends. He was a huge part of all their lives. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in John's name to the VFW Honor Guard Post 1326, Bismarck, ND.

John Erling

September 30, 1920 - April 12, 2006