Erwin F. Heier, 99, Eureka, SD, died Friday, April 26, 2024 at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, May 2, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Eureka, with Father Mark Axtmann, Celebrant. Interment is scheduled for 2:00 PM Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Hague, ND. Organist will be Carie Kappes and Congregational Hymns will be “Amazing Grace”, “On Eagle’s Wings”, “How Great Thou Art”, and “Shall We Gather at the River”; Accordionist Earl Mehlhaff will play “Little Girl’s Waltz” and Erwin’s favorite song, “Amanda” following the Mass; Lector will be granddaughter Madison; and Offertory Gift Bearers will be granddaughters—Katie and Madison.

 

Visitation will be Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel, Eureka, from 5:00-7:00 PM Wednesday.

 

Erwin Francis Heier, son of Catherine (Feist) and Michael Heier, was born near Hague on July 22, 1924. He grew up on the family farm five miles SW of Hague and attended rural school. Following his schooling, he did various work such as laying cement block, building pole barns, and overhauling engines, in addition to helping on the family farm. Erwin married Elaine Wacker at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hague on November 30, 1968. They made their home on her family homestead NE of Herreid, SD. In 1972, they relocated to Eureka where Erwin was employed as a mechanic for the Massey-Ferguson Dealership. He then took a job as the plant manager at the Eureka Community Hospital, retiring from there in 1995, after 18 years of service. In retirement, he enjoyed tinkering on lawnmowers, especially Lawn Boys. Erwin was musically inclined, playing guitar and harmonica for the Herbert Ottenbacher Band. Later, he and Leo Schumacher played music at nursing homes around the area. He enjoyed dancing waltzes and polkas. Erwin did not marry until he was 44, and that may be why has been said that he was Best Man at countless weddings.

 

Erwin is survived by two daughters—Sandy (Rodney) Kirschenmann of Hosmer, SD and Deb (John) Cornelius of Aberdeen, SD; two brothers—Leo (Johanna) Heier of Bismarck, ND and Tony Heier of Aberdeen; six grandchildren—Tyler Gross, Madison Gross, Cody Kirschenmann, Katie Kirschenmann, Nicole Anderson, and Jennifer Braun; and two great grandchildren—Arlee and J.W.

 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine, on December 3, 2009; his parents, Michael and Catherine; six brothers—Pete, Julius, Rainer, Leonard, William, and Timothy; and four sisters—Magdalena Heilman, Emma Knoll, Leonita Heilman, and Helen Schuh.

 

Casketbearers will be grandsons—Cody and Tyler; sons-in-law-John and Rodney; and Jim Heier of Aberdeen; and Bryce Rohrbach of Roscoe, SD.

 

Erwin’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page.
Services are in care of Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel of Eureka.

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