Ervin Messer

A funeral mass for Ervin J. Messer, 83, of New Salem, will be 10:30 a. m. CST, Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at St. Pius V Church in New Salem, with Father Selva Periannan celebrating. Burial will take place in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

A rosary and vigil service for Ervin will be held Monday, May 2, 2016 at 7:00 p. m. CST at St. Pius V Church, New Salem.

Ervin J. Messer(83), passed away Friday April 29th at CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck.

Ervin was born November 3, 1932 to Val and Pauline (Koch) Messer on the family farm in Hebron, North Dakota. He was the youngest of five children. Ervin graduated from Hebron High School in 1950, enlisting in the Coast Guard in January 1951, serving for four years. Once Ervin returned home from the service he met JoAnne Sebastian. They married on August 25, 1956, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Hebron and were later blessed, with five children, Monica, Chuck, Tom, Carol, and Terees. Ervin was employed by MDU and retired after 35 years. He had great relations with his MDU customers enjoying conversations and homemade treats. During his employment, Ervin was also active in the New Salem Fire Department, Lions Club, and served as Chairman of the first New Salem Bachelor Days. After his retirement, Ervin enjoyed fishing, playing pinochle with family and friends, and morning coffee with his best friend Roger and coffee buddies at Cenex. He also enjoyed watching his kids in high school sports and cheering on “his” Green Bay Packers. Ervin and JoAnne loved traveling to visit their children and grandchildren around the country.

Ervin is survived by his wife, JoAnne; five children, Monica (Wayne) Hoovestol, Chuck (Laura) Messer, Tom (Della) Messer, Carol (David) Bivins, and Terees (Frank) Dale; ten grandchildren, Joe Hoovestol, Hanna (Wes) Heit, Scott Messer, Kayla (Austin) Porter, Nicole (Tyler) Heins, Lynae Messer, Patrick Bivins, Kayce Bivins, Zach Bivins, Ryan (Cody) Carson, Haley Dale, and Trey Dale; and two great-grandchildren, Brielle and Landon Porter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leroy Messer; and sisters, Esther Kuehn, Vivian Irvin, Irene Fulbright, and Mildred Baker.

Burial Date: May 3, 2016
Church St. Pius V Church

Funeral Mass: Tuesday: St. Pius V Catholic Church, New Salem, ND