Obituary

Jack Erhardt passed from this life on January 12, 2017. He was born April 29, 1933 near Center, North Dakota. He was one of twelve children born to Kasper and Lucretia Messer Erhardt.

He attended schools in the Center area. He married Marcella Barnhardt October 12, 1953. She passed away on April 27, 1998.

He worked as a butcher at Circle Foods in Mandan for 5 years. He entered the military service in 1958 and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington for two years.

Jack and Marcella returned to Mandan and farmed a few years. He then went into the construction business. He later was employed with Miller Insulation until he started working for the power plants as a Pipe Insulator. He married Esther Barth Hilfer in Bismarck, ND, November 30, 2001. He retired in 2010. They moved to Goodyear, Arizona after his retirement.

Jack loved to play baseball and was an avid member of several men’s teams until age 65. He also loved to throw horseshoes. He was also a lifelong avid hunter and fisherman. Camping was a favorite.

He was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church and served many years as an usher until moving to Arizona. He was a member and usher at St. John Vianney Catholic Church of Goodyear, AZ. He was an active member of the Moose, Elks, and Eagles Lodges.

Jack is survived by his wife, Esther; four sons, Rocky (Patty), Rodney (Pam), Russell (Betty), Roger (Karla); daughter, Mona Engelhard; sister, Lou (Chris) Silvernagel, brothers, Matt (Jo), Center, ND, Kasper (Linda), Grand Forks, ND; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two stepsons, Brent (Becky) Hilfer Mandan, Stuart (Shelli) Hilfer, Goodyear, AZ; three stepdaughters, Mary (Bruce) Nelson, Avondale, AZ, Tracy (Darrell) Hilfer, Little Rock, AR; Laura (Corey) Beckler, Shoreview, MN; stepbrother, Joe (Betty) Pfeiler; step-sister-in-laws, Bev Kokkler, Rose Schlosser, and Urban and Irene Gratz ; nine step-grandchildren; and six step-greatgrandchildren;. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marcella; parents, Kasper and Lucretia Erhardt; sister, Veronica (Wally) Schulte, Frances (Delmar) Schulte, Rose (Matt) Barth, Margaret (George) Wetsch, Otillia; brothers, Ray (Shirley), Mike (Eva), Connie (Vivian); infant, Kasper; stepbrothers, Bill, Ted, John, Ray, and Clem Kokkler, Adam, Joe (Catherine) Helfrich Barnhardt; and two step-grandchildren, Travis Hilfer and Jenifer Dahl. A memorial service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandan, ND at a future date.