Earl Benton Erdman

Earl Benton Erdman

Oct. 28, 1927 - Feb. 23, 2017

HAIGLER, Neb. -- Earl Benton Erdman, 89, died Feb. 23, 2017, at Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman, Neb.

He was was born Oct. 28, 1927, to Ernest Martin and Blanche Orene (Stamper) Erdman in Dundy County. He graduated high school in 1946 at the Nebraska School of Agriculture at Curtis, Neb.

He joined the U.S. Navy in September 1946 and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in September 1951. He then returned home to help on the ranch. He married Ilene Osborn on March 15, 1953, in Benkelman. They lived north of Haigler.

He was a 4-H leader and a board member of the county extension, Dundy County Fair Board and Haigler school boards. He served on the Haigler American Legion for over 60 years, the Haigler Lutheran Church council and two terms as Dundy County commissioner.

Survivors include his wife, Ilene Erdman of Haigler; children, Kathy Blecha and husband, Mike and Cindy Haskell and husband, Keith, all of Haigler and Nancy Akert and husband, JR of Kingsville, Mo.; brothers, Paul Erdman of Benkelman and Dean Erdman and wife, Esther of Haigler; sister, Mae Wilkens and husband, Art of Stockville, Kan.; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services are Friday, March 3, 2017, 2 p.m. (MT), at Zion Lutheran Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Doug Hjelmstad officiating. Inurnment will immediately follow services at Haigler Cemetery in Haigler with full Military Honors.

No visitation.

Memorials may be given in his name to the Haigler American Legion Post. Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

Benkelman Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.