Frank 'Bill' Erbe

STAPLES -- Frank "Bill" Erbe, 86, Staples, died Thursday, March 23, 2000, at the Shady Lane Nursing Home in Wadena.

He was born May 3, 1913, in Saratoga, Iowa, to John Edward and Cora Elina (Kelsey) Erbe. He came to the Staples area with his family at an early age. He married Helen Alvina Olson on March 14, 1932, in Old Hartford Township in Todd County. He lived and farmed in the Staples area until 1998. He also worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad from 1942 to 1959. After his retirement, he lived with his son, Bob and his wife, Sylvia, until September 1999. He then lived at the Shady Lane Nursing Home.

Survivors include two sons, Robert Erbe, Motley, David Erbe, Staples; a daughter, Darlene Holm, Staples, a sister, Lois Shafer, Nashua, Iowa; a brother, Harold "Bud" Erbe, Long Beach, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.

His wife, two daughters, Lois Lucas and Mavis John, two brothers, Harry and Ted Erbe and a sister, Elina "Toots" Mertens died earlier.

Services are 11 a.m. Monday at the Faith Lutheran Church in Staples with the Rev. Bradley Skogen officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Hill Cemetery.

Friends may call on from 4-7 p.m. today at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples.