Roy Erbele

FORT RIPLEY - Roy J. Erbele (the Harmonica Man) passed away on Feb. 1, 2009, at his home from cancer. Roy was born on Nov. 14, 1937, in Jamestown, N.D., to Jacob and Paulina (Harter) Erbele. LaMoure, N.D., was his boyhood home and where he attended school.

For many years, Roy worked as an appliance service technician in Minneapolis and the Brainerd lakes area. An accomplished harmonica player, Roy performed at many area churches, nursing homes and special events. Christian music and semi-classical were his favorites.

Roy Erbele is survived by his wife, Victoria; daughters, Kelly (Ray) KinCannon, Kim (John) Bitzer, both of Cambridge, daughters by his former wife, Eleanor (Kelly) Erbele, and daughters, Katherine Erbele, of Fergus Falls, Karri Erbele of Minneapolis; three grandsons; five granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; one sister, Mary (Emery) Strander, of Lisbon, ND. Roy was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters.

A memorial service was to be held at the Randall Presbyterian Church on Feb. 14, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. Internment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Fort Ripley.

The family requests no flowers. All memorials will go to the Randall Presbyterian Church in Randall, Minn.