Ervin Essendrup

Ervin W. Essendrup, age 86, of Willmar, died Wednesday afternoon, July 24, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Willmar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 3, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Raymond.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar, www.petersonbrothers.com.

Ervin William Essendrup was born November 26, 1932, in Lone Tree Township, Chippewa County, near Raymond, Minnesota, the son of Raymond and Pearl (Christenson) Essendrup.  He grew up on a farm near Raymond and attended District #48 School.  On November 26, 1955, he married Alice Klosterboer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Raymond.  They had one son, William.  Ervin and Alice lived in Raymond until 2000, when they moved to their home on Lake Florida.  They also wintered in Leesburg, Florida for many years.  In 2007, they moved to Willmar.

Ervin operated Raymond Recreation, a pool hall and pub and later Erv’s Shoe Store in Raymond, doing canvas repair, upholstery, and shoe repair and sales.  He later worked as a carpenter for several years until his retirement.  He was a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Raymond and a current member of the Church of St. Mary.  He was also a member of the Raymond Sportsmen’s Club and the Raymond Civic and Commerce.  He served as treasurer for the Raymond Rockets baseball team and operated the concession stand for many years.  On July 20, 2019, Ervin and Alice were inducted in to the Raymond Rockets Hall of Fame.

Ervin will be remembered for always showing kindness to others and being a friend to many in need.

He is survived by his wife, Alice of Willmar; a son, William (and Sandy) Essendrup of Edina; two grandchildren, Anna Essendrup and Eric Essendrup; a brother, Ray (and Eileen) Essendrup of Hamel; three sisters, Lorraine Bohlsen of Willmar, Bonnie Hanson of Willmar, and Colleen Newland of Hopkins; several nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, James Essendrup, Gerald Essendrup, and Marlin Essendrup; and four sisters, Adeline Steffens, Dorothy Fransen, Arlene Beers, and Verna Aeikens.