Funeral services for Ervin Will, age 74, of Bismarck, formerly of Elgin, will be held at 10:30 a. m. Monday, May 9, at the Ebenezer UCC Church north of Elgin. Pastor Larry Ouhl will officiate with burial in the Ebenezer Church Cemetery.


Ervin Edward Will was born April 17, 1931 at Antelope, ND to Adolph and Bertha (Klein) Will. The family moved first to Mott where he attended school and then into New Leipzig where they operated the café; from there they moved to a farm north of New Leipzig and began attending the Ebenezer Church. There he met the girl of his dreams, Esther Sprenger. They were united in marriage on October 26, 1952 at the Ebenezer Church. They began their life together on the Buchwitz's farm north of New Leipzig where they farmed until 1959. Their next move was to a farm north of Elgin near the Stone Church. Ervin and Esther farmed there until the fall of 1966, when they moved into Elgin. Ervin worked for the N.D. State Highway Department from 1965 to 1976. He was a custodian for the Elgin Public School from 1977 until his retirement. He was a member, trustee, and usher for many years at the Ebenezer Church. Due to health reasons, he entered the St. Vincent's Health Care Center in 1997 so he could be closer to his family.


While Ervin enjoyed farming, camping and gardening, his greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.


He passed from this life early Friday morning, May 6, at St. Vincent's Health Care Center in Bismarck at the age of 74 years, 19 days.


Surviving family members include his wife, Esther; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Roger and Barbara Will; Dale and Lori Will; twin daughters and sons-in-law, LaDonna and Wally Leingang; LaRonna and Mark Emter, all of Bismarck; 10 grandchildren; Jason (Bonnie) Will, Dawson, MN; Michael Will, Fargo; Amber Will (special friend, Alan Mahrer), Bismarck; Heidi (Tyler) Blair, St. Thomas; Scot Leingang (fiancé Amy Steele), Fargo; Derek Emter, San Diego, CA; Travis Emter, LeAnn, Jessica, and Tayla Hoherz, Bismarck; 2 great grandchildren, Georgia Will and Kendal Blair; 2 brothers and 1 sister-in-law, Alvin Will, Elgin; Melvin and Ruth Will, Bismarck; 3 sisters and 2 brothers-in-law, Lorraine Sprenger, Mandan; Mildred and Melvin Leischner, Bismarck; Donna and Mark Worcester; Elgin.


He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers-in-law, Ervin Sprenger; Almore Sprenger; Clinton Diehl; 2 sisters-in-law; Loretta Vetter and Marian Will.


A special thanks to the staff at St. Vincent's Health Care Center for the care they have given him.