Arthur H Erdmann

He was born on April 18, 1925, in rural Nodine, Minnesota, to Herman and Theresa (Westphal) Erdmann. He married Mildred Unnasch on October 26, 1946, in Grace Lutheran Church, Ridgeway, Minn. She preceded him in death on January 6, 2005. Arthur and Millie farmed in Winona County until 1995 when they moved to La Crescent. Art also hauled canned milk for Ridgeway and Nodine Creameries for several years.

Art served on the Ridgeway Creamery Board and was a member of the first board of the Ridgeway School when the local rural schools were consolidated. He also volunteered as a driver for the La Crescent Health Care Center and had previously served on the church council at Grace Lutheran Church where he was currently a member. In his free time, Art enjoyed woodworking, bowling and golfing as hobbies. He enjoyed his daily noon lunch gatherings at the Senior Dining Center in La Crescent and was also an avid card player.

He is survived by three daughters, Ilene Gerth of Winona, Elaine (Allyn) McNally of Winona, and Kathy (Allen) Klawiter of Dakota, Minn.; one son, David (Kathie) Erdmann of Dakota; eighteen grandchildren, John (Jenny) Marin, Heather Marin, Ashley Gerth, Matthew (Amy) McNally, Michael (Melissa) McNally, Mitzi (Christopher) Smith, Marcus McNally, Kyle (Jenny) Klawiter, Nicole (Richard) Cooksey, Nathaniel (Shana) Klawiter, Joel (Laurie) Klawiter, Erik (Meghan) Klawiter, Aaron Klawiter, Richard (Sarah) Erdmann, Lucas Erdmann, Michelle(Jamie) Stinson, Kimberly Erdmann and Danielle Erdmann; 33 great grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; and one great, great-granddaughter. He is further survived by one brother, Kurt Erdmann of Shoreview, Minn.; six sisters-in-law, Elva Erdmann Kerns of Dakota, Diane Erdmann of Winona, Maxine Erdmann of Dakota, Marjorie Erdmann of Dakota, and Eleanor Steinfeldt and Charlotte Unnasch, both of Houston, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, Millie, Art was also preceded in death by his parents; two great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; five brothers, Paul, Willie, Gerhard, Ervin and Herman; and one sister, Esther Stander.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 23thrdth, at 11:00 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church, Ridgeway. Pastor James Nelson will officiate. Burial will follow in Bush Cemetery. Friends may call at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crescent chapel, located at 111 South Oak St., on Tuesday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Arthurs grandchildren will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.