Ervin Ness, 87 of Middle River, MN passed away peacefully on Friday, September 17, 2021 at LifeCare Medical Center in Roseau, MN.

The service to celebrate Ervin's life will be held at 4:00 PM on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Mary Lundquist officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Sunday at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Cedar Township, Marshall County, MN with military honors provided by the Middle River American Legion Post 444 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard at 6:45 PM Sunday evening.

Ervin Ray Ness was born June 29, 1934 at home on the family farm in Marshall County near Middle River, MN the son of Martin and Selma (Karvonen) Ness. He walked two miles to attend the Keopp Country School through the 8 ^th grade.

Ervin worked in his early years on the farm. The work was not easy as everything was done by hand including milking cows, raising hogs and chickens, cutting hay and harvesting the small grains. They used horses until his family got their first tractor in the 1940's. Ervin left home at the age of 15 to live and work for a neighbor farm. In 1952, he got a job at Land 'O Lakes working in the hatchery in Thief River Falls.

Ervin entered into service with the United States Army on March 20, 1956, training in Fort Carson, CO, stationed at Fort Sheridan, IL and then spent 6 ½ months in Germany. He was decorated as an excellent Marksman and earned the Good Conduct Medal. On February 3, 1958 Ervin was Honorably Discharged. After he got out of service, he went back to Land 'O Lakes. He then worked in road construction, driving truck in Minneapolis.

In Minneapolis, Ervin met his future wife, Mary Lou Bowen. The couple was married on November 26, 1960 at St. John Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN. To this union three children were born, Lynnae, Kenneth and Kelly. They lived for a short time in Thief River Falls and Middle River, MN before moving in 1965 to Union, IL where he worked hauling fuel for his brother-in-law, Arnold Bowen. In 1967 they moved to East Bethel, MN until 1973 when they settled on the Ness family farm near Middle River and started small grain farming and raising beef cattle.

Ervin drove long-haul for International Transport, Midland, and Marvin Windows; and drove short haul trucks for various companies including Byfuglien Trucking, Steenerson's and Doyle Nelson. His last run was October 9, 2008 and he retired from his cattle operation in the summer of 2020.

Ervin especially enjoyed deer hunting (using his Husqvarna 30-06) with his buddies George and Barney, and later years Darby Barron. Ervin could be found taking "a drive around the block", taking Opie for rides in the 6-wheeler, ice fishing, going for coffee and cards at The Wheel, and enjoying his evening beer.

He was a member of the Middle River American Legion Post, First Lutheran Church, and the Teamsters Union.

Survivors include children Lynnae Sue Toren of St. Hilaire, MN, Kenneth Wayne Ness of Middle River, MN, and Kelly Jean (Mark) Koland of Karlstad, MN; grandchildren Jesse Lynn Toren, Brenna Rae (fiancé Jason Braunhausen) Koland, Morgan Joyce (Austin) Hams, and Claire Pauline Koland (newlywed of Trevor Berreau); great-grandchildren Amari Hope Toren, Ridge Matthew and Tate Alan Hams; siblings Arnold Ness, Richard (Gloria) Ness, Roger (Linda) Ness, Deloris Wiskow, and Betty Ostby; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife Mary on January 22, 2019; his parents; father and mother-in-law Floyd E. and Elsie (Brewer) Bowen; and brother, Donald.

Memorials are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans, Roseau Chapter. Ervin's family very much appreciated all of their help providing rides to his various appointments.