Ervin Simpson

Ervin Simpson, age 97, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton.

Ervin Melvin Simpson was born April 16,1925 in Graceville, Minnesota, the son of  Ervin Carl Simpson and Dorothy Rose (Berry) Simpson. He grew up in Traverse County and graduated from Graceville High School in 1943.  After farming one year with his father, he served in the US Navy from 1944-1946, and received an honorable discharge. In the fall of 1946, Ervin enrolled in the College of Agriculture, University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus.  The following spring he returned home to continue farming.

On September 1, 1948 Ervin married Doris Yvonne Gullickson at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Wheaton, MN.  They made their home in Ortonville, MN where Ervin was baptized and confirmed in April of 1949 at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. In June of 1950, they bought a farm in Traverse County where they raised their family and spent more than 72 years together.  In 1956, Ervin became a commercial pilot and launched a successful aerial spraying business which he ran for many years in addition to his farming operation.

Ervin was active in his church.  He taught Sunday School, served on the church council and attended bible study groups.  He was also a member of the Gideons, the Wheaton American Legion Post # 80 and the Wheaton School Board.

Throughout his life, Ervin enjoyed his airplanes.  He was a member of many flying clubs, enjoyed numerous cross-country flying trips and shared his passion for flying with others. Ervin was also an avid outdoorsman.  He was an expert marksman and a lifetime member in the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, motorcycling, golfing and even horseback riding with friends and family.  As Ervin entered his senior years, he decided to take up downhill skiing and took many ski trips with his family.    Ervin and Doris shared numerous travels together with their trip to Alaska’s Mt. McKinley being one of Ervin’s most memorable.

Surviving Ervin are his children: Morgan (Ann) Simpson of Kennewick, WA; Rosann Johnsen of Milbank, SD; Teresa (Dwight) Leininger of Loveland, CO; and Renae (Loren) Pederson of Johnson, MN; grandchildren: Ashley Bray-Simpson, Elisabeth (Burke) Burgett, Sara Goche, Kelly (Corey) VanHorn, Joy (Paul) Bjordahl, Grant Lichtsinn, Dillon Lichtsinn, Jacob Pederson and Rose Pederson; great-grandchildren: Anika Bjordahl, Kiersten Bjordahl, Elise Bjordahl, Johanna Bjordahl, Gretchen Bjordahl, David Bjordahl, Alexis Goche, Brianna Goche, Darin VanHorn, Yavonne VanHorn, Oliver Burgett, and Elle Burgett.

Ervin was preceded in death by his parents E. Carl Simpson and D. Rose (Berry) Simpson; wife Doris Y. (Gullickson) Simpson; infant daughter JoAnne M. Simpson; son-in-law Gene Johnsen; grandson-in-law Jason Goche; his sister Eva Strazzabosco and his brother Gene Simpson.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, October 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Cheryl Berg officiating. Organist will be LeAnn Bjornson with special music by Dennis Johnson. Visitation will be held Monday morning, one hour prior to service time at the church. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Pallbearers will be grandchildren: Ashley Bray-Simpson, Elisabeth Burgett, Sara Goche, Kelly VanHorn, Joy Bjordahl, Grant Lichtsinn, Dillon Lichtsinn, Jacob Pederson and Rose Pederson.