Ervin John Barchenger

Ervin John Barchenger passed away on September 8, 2017 at the Lutz Wing Mayo Clinic Health Care Center at the age of 87.  Funeral Service will be Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 11 Am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman. Visitation will be one hour prior. Interment will follow in the church Cemetery.  Ervin was born on November 11, 1929 in Fairmont, MN to the late Frederick John and Caroline “Lena” (Bokelman) Barchenger.  He was baptized on Dec. 1, 1929, confirmed April 18, 1943 both with St. James Lutheran Church, Northrop, where he attended the parochial school. He  graduated High School from Fairmont, in 1947.  He married Gloria Malo on October 7, 1951 in Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield MN. Ervin served in the US Army from Nov. of 1948 until 1949 and was honorably discharged after serving in the reserves until Nov. 1955.  He was a Railroad agent- Telegrapher for the Chicago Railway stations in Omaha NE, Valley Springs, SD and Sibley IA, Finally bringing him to Truman, MN.  He was employed at the Truman Farmers Elevator for 28 years, as office manager and eventually assistant manager, and was most recently a real estate agent for Cavers Realty in Fairmont. He served on the board of directors for REA in Jackson, MN.  He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran in Truman for 59 years, having held many offices.  He enjoyed the country life and loved to travel, especially to Alamo, TX for the winters.  Ervin was a loyal MN Twins and Vikings fan. He also enjoyed music, hunting and fishing. Ervin entered the Lutz Wing community Feb. 17, 2017.  Survived by his wife of 65 years, Gloria; sons, Bruce (Lori) Barchenger of Northrop, and Paul (Laura) Barchenger of Hutchinson; daughter Mary (Dan) Freeman of Fairmont; grandchildren, Brenda (Brian) Crees, Bryan Barchenger, Tucker (Ashley) Freeman, Taylor Freeman, Austin (Kelsey) Barchenger and Alicia Barchenger; great-grandchildren; Ethan, Cade and Kynzie Crees, Liam and Aleigha Freeman, and Coral Barchenger and Andrew Barchenger; sisters in law, Janette (Duane) Chinnow, Jean (Bruce) Myers and Cheryl (Michael) Much; other relatives and friends.   He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Delia Larsen Lueth, brothers, Edward and Leroy Barchenger, Brother in law, Jr. Malo; Sister in law, Joyce Malo McLaughlin, mother and father in law, Harry and Nevah Malo and a granddaughter Amber Barchenger.   Memorials preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Truman or Martin Luther High School.  Zaharia Family Funeral and Cremation is in charge of arrangements. www.zahariafamilyfuneral.com