The Funeral Service for Ernie Achtenberg, age 91 of New Leipzig, will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig with Pastor John Amundson, officiating. Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery north of New Leipzig with Full Military Honors afforded by the Baesler-Achtenberg American Legion Post #211 of New Leipzig.

Serving as Casketbearers are Marvin Achtenberg II, Joel Bird, Brandon Achtenberg, Allison Weckman, Tyler Achtenberg and Abby Achtenberg. Ernie's grand and great-grandchildren are considered Honorary Bearers.

A Family Service will be held at 7:00pm on Monday evening at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig.

ERNIE EDMUND ACHTENBERG was born February 8, 1924 to Jacob and Emelia (Redinger) Achtenberg in Grant County. He attended a local country school near his family farm. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. He helped his parents on the farm and helped raise his younger siblings.

In 1945, Ernie enlisted in the US Army and was later promoted to Sergeant of the Military Police. He served in Germany at the end of World War II and was honorably discharged in 1947.

Upon returning from the military, he met his future wife, Marianne Loock. They were married on October 28, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Ernie and Marianne made their home on a farm southeast of New Leipzig where they raised cattle and small grains. They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church where Ernie was on the church council.

In 1971, Ernie and Marianne moved their family into New Leipzig. Ernie was employed as a custodian at the New Leipzig Public School until 1994. He also operated a custom combining and trucking business and drove the school bus. He was also a custodian at Immanuel Lutheran for over 21 years.


Ernie enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He took pride in watching his sons play basketball. He and Marianne enjoyed traveling, especially their trips to Washington. They both took pride in caring for their yard and were awarded Yard of the Year in 2001. Ernie was also a proud member of the American Legion for over 60 years. He and Marianne were honored to be Oktoberfest Parade Marshalls in 1995.
Ernie passed away on Thursday evening, February 12, 2015 at the Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin.

Surviving family members include his wife of 66 years, Marianne, New Leipzig, ND; their 7 children, Marvin (Dianne) Achtenberg, Monticello, MN; Anita (Jim) Arnold, Portal, ND; Steve (Romae) Achtenberg, Bismarck, ND; Tim (Joan) Achtenberg, Fargo, ND; Jeff (Joy) Achtenberg, Ravenna, NE; Dave (Roxanne) Achtenberg, Bismarck, ND; Dwight Achtenberg (Janelle Ferguson), Seattle, WA; 17 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, brothers and sisters-in-law, Christ and Erma Achtenberg, New Leipzig, ND; Virgil and Eunice Achtenberg, Hysham, MT; Susan Achtenberg, Kennewick, WA; Margaret Vonder Heide, Springfield, MO; and Donna Loock, Medina, ND; sisters and brothers-in-law, Darlene Kuntz, Yakima, WA; Alice Johnson, Dacono, CO; Henry (MaryAnn) Loock, Wahpeton, ND; and Arnold Kirsch, Mott, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Ray (Amelia), Bill (Bernice), Alvin, sisters, Adeline (Sam) Lingert, Gladys Kirsch; and five infant siblings, a great granddaughter, Addison Grace Kreklau, his mother and father-in-law, August and Katherine Loock, brothers-in-law, Rudy Loock, and Fred (Anna) Loock, Chuck Baker, and Ernie Johnson.

Visitation will be on Monday from 1:00 to 5:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.