April 3, 2013

Ervin Mangel

Ervin (Erv) Leroy Mangel, 92, of Watford City died Wednesday March 27, 2013, at the Good Shepherd Home. His funeral was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 1, 2013, at Wilmington Lutheran Church in Arnegard, where he was a member. Pastor Rob Favorite officiated and interment followed at Schafer Cemetery.
Ervin Leroy Mangel was born on Sept. 13, 1920, on a farm in Madison, Minn., to Reuben and Emma (Seefert) Mangel. His mother died when he was only six years old. His older siblings were all busy working on the farm so he started doing what would be a life skill at a very young age, taking care of the household duties and cooking. In 1928, the family relocated to a farm near Comertown, Mont. He graduated from Comertown High School.
On Oct. 7, 1944, Erv married Phyllis Hereim and settled down in Westby, Mont., where he worked as a meat cutter. In 1950, the family, which now included two sons, moved to Watford City where their daughter was born. Erv started working at Piggly Wiggly as a meat cutter, a career that spanned 29 years.
Erv was very civic-minded and was a volunteer fireman for the Watford City fire department for 11 years and served on the city council for eight years. He was an active part of Boy Scouts. Phyllis and Erv sold their home in Watford and moved to Arnegard for a period of time where he served as mayor for two years.
In 1979, with their family grown with families of their own, they ventured to Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and eventually to Mesa, working in meat departments at both places. 1985 brought yet another move to the mountains of Overgard where they managed a senior citizens park for many years.
In 1993, they retired and made the move back to Watford City, a place Erv still called ‘Home.’ After 55 years of marriage, Phyllis passed away in July of 1999. In October of 2000, he married Phyllis Evanson and they made their home in Arnegard. Together, they enjoyed gardening, canning and baking. Phyllis passed away in October of 2004.
Erv moved to the Senior Citizen Center in Watford City where he lived until failing health forced him to move to the GSH in January, 2013. His passion was gardening, canning and baking. He received many hours of pleasure baking goodies to send home with family and friends, when they would come to visit.
His family included three children, Dwight (Jane) Mangel of Lakewood, Colo. and Pharr, Texas; Merle (Pam) Mangel of Hawley, Minn.; Myrna (Larry) Nelson of Watford City, N.D.; seven grandchildren, Lisa (Jeff) Kring, Lori (Jeff) Jones, Steve (Deanne) Nelson, Sheri (Jeff) Potter, Matt Mangel and fiancé Mandy Baukol, Adam (Amber) Mangel, Emily (Carl) Blank; 13 great-grandchildren, Cole and Chloe Kring, Cody, Riley and Lacey Korsmeyer, Cooper Jones, Bailey and Taylor Nelson, Burke Potter, Ella and Jaylen Mangel, and Carli and Kendra Blank; stepdaughters, April Obenour, Vicki Peterson and Lori Driggs; sister, Clarice Jones; and many nieces and nephews who were very dear to him. He was eagerly anticipating the birth of two more great-grandchildren this spring. He was also looking forward to the upcoming wedding of grandson, Matt.
Erv was preceded in death by his two wives; brothers, Bill, Harvey, Steve, Woodrow, Leslie, Charles, Alvin and Robert; sister, Beatrice; and stepsister, Mildred Durham.
Friends may share memories and condolences with the family at www.fulkersons.com
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER