Albert E. Erdmann

Albert E. Erdmann, 79, of Leola, SD, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family.

His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Leola, SD, with Pastor Samuel Bobby officiating.

Burial, with military rites, will take place at Green Mound Cemetery in Leola.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary, with a public prayer service beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday.

Family and friends may sign Albert’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Albert E. Erdmann was born August 12, 1941, in Wetonka, SD to Ora and Geneva (Crisp) Erdmann.  He attended school in Leola, SD and graduated from Leola High School.

Albert was united in marriage to Marilyn J. Janisch on July 16, 1959, in Rock Rapids, IA.  The couple had just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in July of this year.

Albert served in the United States Air Force from 1959 until 1964, traveling with his family to Texas, England, and Rapid City.  They then settled on the family farm in Wetonka, SD in 1964.  

Farming and raising angus cattle were family traditions which are still being carried on today by his sons, Daniel and Joseph Erdmann, grandsons, Royce and Andrew Erdmann, along with their families.  In 1981, Albert started raising a red angus herd as a hobby.  His hobby grew to approximately 400 head before he dispersed most of his red angus herd in 2014.  Albert then re-established a small herd again, which will be carried on by his grandson, Colton Spitzer.

Albert and his family spent summers doing field work and showing cattle on the local, state, and national levels.  They worked hard at improving their cattle herd and preserving the land.  Albert was awarded the 1992 Excellence in Grazing Management Award.  In 2006, he and Marilyn were chosen as South Dakota Angus Association Honored Breeders.  Until the time of his death, Albert remained active in the decision making of the operation.

Faith, family, friends and farming were very important to Albert.  He was a life-long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Leola, where he served as usher, Chairman of the Congregation, Treasurer, and on various other committees.

Blessed to have shared Albert’s life is his wife, Marilyn Erdmann of Leola, SD; their seven children:  Laura (Brian) Ryken of Gayville, SD, Elizabeth (Joe) Korzan of Aberdeen, Terri (Steve) Kolb of Westport, SD, Daniel (Anne Jo) Erdmann of Leola, SD, Joseph (Sheila) Erdmann of Wetonka, SD, Kristi (Glenn) Spitzer of Leola, SD and Nichole (Mike) Sobolik of Aberdeen; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his siblings:  Lois Bonn of Aberdeen, Charlotte Erdmann of Ipswich, SD, Ronald (Karen) Erdmann of Aberdeen and Herbert (Bernadine) Erdmann of Orlando, FL; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Albert was preceded in death by his parents, Ora and Geneva Erdmann; and one brother, LeRoy Erdmann.    

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