Ervin Bogatzki

The funeral service for Ervin Robert Bogatzki, 77, of Bertha, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31st at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend with Pastor Justin Hesterman presiding. Friends may call on Sunday at the Domian-Anderson Chapel in Bertha from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and at the church on Monday one hour prior to the service. Ervin died peacefully Wednesday, August 26, 2015, shortly after slipping into a deep sleep. He was surrounded by his very loving and dedicated wife of 34 years, Kathy, and other family members when the Lord called him home leaving his tired and worn out body behind. Ervin was born March 27, 1938 in Arlington, MN. He was the oldest son of Albert and Evelyn (Grassinger) Bogatzki. He was confirmed in Eden Valley and graduated from Eden Valley High School in 1956. In 1962, he was married to his first wife and they were blessed with four children: Angela, Cynthia, Lisa, and Drumond. They moved to rural Bertha and farmed there. During this time he was intrigued with beefalo and spent years developing his own herd, along with managing the family dairy farm. In 1981, he married Kathleen Jenson and added two sons to his family, Ken and Jacob, and shortly, thereafter, Curtis. After a reprieve from the farm, they ended up back on the farm and Ervin also worked as a custodian at the Wadena Technical College until his retirement in 2005. Ervin and Kathy were members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bertha, where he served on the Cemetery Board. Ervin loved deer hunting with family members - a passion that was handed down to his sons and grandsons. He spent many hours fishing with his father and also enjoyed driving his golf cart and visiting with relatives and friends. He spent many hours with close friends sharing in a neighborhood Bible study for several years. He is survived by his wife Kathy of Bertha; children Angie (Brian) Long of Eden, WY, Cynthia (Kevin) Doussard of Sedro Woolley, WA, Lisa Bogatzki (Tim Anderson) of Seattle, WA, Drumond (Noelle) Bogatzki of Alexandria, Ken (Pam) Jenson, of Wadena, Jacob Jenson of Perham, and Curtis (Anna Dahlgren) Bogatzki of Duluth; 12 grandchildren and 10 great- grandchildren; siblings Velma Young of Litchfield, Richard (Lorinda) of Albany, Lucille (David) Penkert of Hector, Norman (Kathy) of Cold Spring; sister-in-laws Kathy Bogatzki and Sue (Don) Decrock, Marianne (Richard) McDonnel; and brother-in-laws Francis (Betty) Stassen, and Richard Stassen. He is predeceased by his parents Albert and Evelyn Bogatzki, sisters Evelyn Hix and Dorothy Kalkbreunner, along with brothers Albert Tony and Andrew. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Bertha, MN.

Ervin Bogatzki

March 27, 1938 - August 26, 2015