Ervin (Erv) Eugene Pommer

Ervin "Erv" Pommer, age 81, a lifelong resident of the Willow Lake community died in the Parkview Care Center at Bryant on Wednesday evening, May 7, 2008 after an extended illness. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 10AM in the St. Michaels Catholic Church at Clark with burial in the St. James Catholic Cemetery at Willow Lake. Fr. Bill Hamak will officiate. Honorary Casketbearers will be all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active casketbearers will be Jerry, Don, Mikel and Jim Pommer, Brad Ramey, Larry Brannan and Dan Pulscher. The organist will be Eileen Heilman. Brenda LaBrie will be the song leader. Other music will be provided by Josh Pommer and Rhona Albrecht. Military rites will be conducted by the Johnny Fonken American Legion Post of Willow Lake. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3-5 at the St. James Catholic Church in Willow Lake with a 5pm Liturgical Wake Service. Visitation will continue at the church in Clark on Monday morning. Ervin Eugene Pommer was born on June 11, 1926 at Willow Lake, the son of Fred and Myrtie (Mennenga) Pommer. He attended the Anderson country school in Pleasant Township through the eighth grade and then attended Willow Lake High School. At an early age he began farming with his father. On August 15, 1953 he was united in marriage to Donna McGlone of Flandreau at Flandreau. The couple lived northwest of Willow Lake where he was engaged in farming. They moved into Willow Lake in 1973 but Ervin continued farming. Even though he was not involved in the operating of the equipment for a few years, he was very much involved in the farming operation until his death. He was baptized and confirmed in the Presbyterian Church at Willow Lake and had become a member of St. James Catholic Church in Willow Lake. In the community he was involved in the Willow Lake Lions Club and the Johnny Fonken American Legion Post #113 of Willow Lake. He had served his country during the Korean Conflict in the US Army and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. In younger years he enjoyed playing softball, bowling and hunting. He sang for many years in what was known as the Pommer Gospel Quartet, something he thoroughly enjoyed. Even though Ervin had a love of the land, second to none was his love of his family. Donna and Erv would have been married 55 years this coming August. Grateful for having shared his life is his wife Donna, of Willow Lake, children, Jeannette (Larry) Brannan of Raymond, SD, Jerry (Jackie) Pommer of Canton, SD, Don (Jayne) Pommer of Willow Lake, Mikel (Lori) Pommer of Stillwater, MN, Jim (Deb) Pommer of DeSmet, SD, Julie (Brad) Ramey of Yankton, SD, and a son-in-law, Dan Pulscher of Davis, SD; 23 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; siblings, Eunis Meester and Ardis (Lloyd) Anderson both of Willow Lake and Kenneth Pommer of Clark. Preceding him in death were his parents, a daughter, Patty Pulscher, a sister, Ruth and a brother-in-law, Herman Meester. Arrangements are announced by the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where you can send an on-line condolence at www.furnessfuneralhome.com