Edward Erpenbach age 87, Ethan, died Thursday January 15, 2009 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral services will be held 10:00AM Monday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ethan. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00PM at the church. Burial will be in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Ethan with military rites.

Edward John Erpenbach was born February 11, 1921, in Ethan, SD to Henry F. and Mary (Lingemann) Erpenbach. Ed attended school in Ethan and graduated from Ethan High School in 1939. He entered the U.S. Navy on October 29, 1943, and served in the Asiatic Pacific and was honorably discharged on April 20, 1946. Ed returned to Ethan and on September 18, 1950, married Isabel Bowar in Dimock. They made their home in Ethan and raised their family. Ed was an independent insurance agent for 30 years retiring in 1980. He was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, American Legion where he was Past Commander, VFW, NRA, Fire Chief and Chairman of the town board. Ed enjoyed boating, hunting, fishing, golfing, and playing cards, but most of all his family.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife Isabel of Ethan, SD; son John and his wife Patti Erpenbach of Sioux Falls, SD and their children Andy and Tom Erpenbach of St. Cloud, MN; daughter-in-law Florence Erpenbach of Ethan, SD and children Matt and wife Jessica Erpenbach and their daughter Ava of Harrisburg, SD, Jake and wife Aletha and their son Evan of Ethan, SD and the Middle East, and Mary Erpenbach of Ethan, SD; daughter Ann Temple and husband Brian of Mitchell, SD, and their children Tony and Melissa Temple of Brookings, SD, and Michael Temple of Mitchell, SD

Preceded in death by his parents, son Glen on January 16, 2003, one brother Alfred Erpenbach and one sister Dorothy Lang.