Ervin W. Senner, 97, of Hawkeye, Iowa died Friday evening, November 22, 2013 at his home.
Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hawkeye with Pastor David Nelson and Pastor Rick Senner officiating.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:30 P.M. Tuesday at the Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Hawkeye and after 10:00 A.M. Wednesday at the church.
Interment: Hawkeye Cemetery, Hawkeye, Iowa.
A Memorial Fund has been established in his name.
Ervin William Senner was born September 15th, 1916, the oldest son of William and Millie (Pries) Senner on the family farm in Bethel Township of rural Hawkeye, Iowa. He attended school in Bethel Township. Ervin grew up and worked on the farm on which he was born, marrying Shirley Westerndorf on June 23, 1947 in Davenport, Iowa. Ervin and Shirley moved to an 80 acre farm in 1948, that they rented until they purchased it. Two sons were born, Rick in 1953 and Ron in 1956. They farmed together until Shirley’s death in 1991. Ervin continued to farm it until his death last Friday, November 22. He died on the land that he farmed which is a little over a mile from where he was born and raised. Ervin had just finished the fall fieldwork in preparation for spring planting in 2014. 2013 was the first time that he was unable to plant a crop and that was due to the weather. In 2012 Ervin was honored as being the oldest active farmer in Fayette County. On September 15th of this year Ervin celebrated his 97th birthday with his family. When asked by his grandson Aaron if he planned to plant next year his reply was, “Oh yes, what else am I going to do.” Ervin was the oldest member of Trinity Lutheran of Hawkeye having been baptized and confirmed there. He was able to take part in the 120th anniversary of the congregation. This is the same congregation that both sons were baptized and confirmed, three granddaughters were baptized, three grandchildren confirmed and a granddaughter married.
Ervin is preceded in death by his parents William and Millie and wife Shirley.
He is survived by his son, Rev. Rick Senner and his wife Rev. Becky Senner of Howard/Oldham, SD, their children; Carrie and Brad Eggert and children, Carson, Kendra and Cooper of Baltic, SD and Aaron of Cheyenne, WY; son, Ron and Janet, of Hawkeye, their children Jeremy and Loxie Senner and sons Jade, Piers, Tyler and Elijah Poulsbo, WA; Rhonda and Jeff Hoefer their children Rachael, Jena and Jaron Manchester IA; Sara and Wayne Bunting and their children Ethan and Shelby Strawberry Point, IA; brother, Ray Senner of West Union and other relatives and friends.
Ervin prepared the ground and planted in the certainty of a harvest in the fall. We bury in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection! Praise be the Lord Jesus Christ! Now and forever, amen!
