Joseph A. Erwin Sr., 58, Luverne, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Services were Wednesday, Feb. 5, at First Assembly of God Church in rural Luverne. Military honors and burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.
Joseph Erwin was born to Charles and Beatrice (Streeter) Erwin on Nov. 14, 1944, in Omaha, Neb. He attended public school in Worthington. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967.
He married Susan A. Swenson on July 27, 1973, in Hardwick. The couple first lived in Pipestone, later moved to Luverne, Shakopee, Beaver Creek, and then returned to Luverne. He worked as a truck driver until he retired in 1982.
Survivors include his wife, Susan Erwin, Luverne; three sons, Joseph (Sheila) Erwin Jr., Rushmore, Brian Erwin, Luverne, and Lowell (Paula) VonHoldt, Milford, Iowa; two daughters, Christina Erwin (Gene McClain), Wilmont, and Michelle Erwin, Luverne; four grandchildren; five brothers. Thomas (Audrey) Erwin, Dodge Center, Charles (Vicki) Erwin, Farmington, Patrick Erwin, Cannon Falls, Gene Erwin, Byron, and Roger Erwin, South Dakota; eight sisters, Charlotte (Marvin) Tiesler, Logansville, Ga., Janice (Phillip) Nau, Ocheyedan, Iowa, Rosemary (Larry) Thostenson, Maple Grove, Connie (John) Miller, Donna (Mike) Taft, all of Sioux Falls, S.D., Linda (Alan) Krueger, Lexington, Ky., Kathy (Dan) Johnson, Waltham, and Sandy (Jon) Riedel, Kasson; and his mother and father-in-law, Merlyn and Lavonne Schmidt, Luverne.
Mr. Erwin was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Eddie, Jim and Billy Erwin, and two nieces.
The family would prefer memorials in lieu of flowers or plants.
Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.
