Criswell, Ervin C. (1918-2007)

CRISWELL, COOK, NELSON, AHRENDSEN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/1/2008 at 09:36:08

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 12, 2007

Ervin C. Criswell, 89, of Le Mars, died peacefully on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007 at his home.

Ervin Charles Criswell was born October 11, 1918 in Le Mars, Iowa to Burton and Esther (Cook) Criswell. Ervin attended country school near Seney. Ervin was united in marriage to Betty Lou Nelson on Oct. 1, 1940 at Elk Pont, S.D. He served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Following his discharge from the Army, he worked as a machinist for Sioux Tools in Sioux City. In 1949, Ervin returned to the family farm near Seney and farmed until 1962. In 1960, Ervin established Criswell Electric and worked as an electrician until his retirement in 1990. Betty Lou died in 1983.

Ervin was united in marriage to Vesta Ahrendsen on Jan. 21, 1987.

Ervin was a Life Member of the Wasmer American Legion Post #241 of Le Mars. He had held many positions within the local post and also on the state level. He was a longtime member of the Golden Kernels Drum and Bugle Corp and a 50-year member of the Masons with the Floyd Lodge.

Survivors include his wife Vesta of Le Mars; a son, Dennis Criswell and his wife Carol of Tucson, Ariz.; a daughter, Katy Steffens and her husband Dan of Lansinburg, Mich.; two grandchildren, Kelly Garcia and her husband Robert of Midlands, Texas and Kristi Eckfeld and her husband Greg of Fort Worth, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Ryan Criswell, Emily Eckfeld and Erika Eckfeld; a brother, Gordon Criswell and his wife Shirley of Le Mars; a son-in-law, Don Scales of Hot Springs, Ark.; and two stepdaughters, Darlene Feller and her husband Ralph of Le Mars and Bonita McLaren and her husband Phil of Humboldt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Esther (Cook) Criswell; his first wife, Betty Lou in 1983; a daughter, Carla Scales on Oct. 15, 2007; a granddaughter, Laurel Lee Scales; and a grandson in infancy.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the Rev. Larry Fett of Grace Lutheran Church officiating. Interment with military honors provided by the Wasmer American Legion Post #241 of Le Mars will be in the Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will continue Thursday morning until service time at the funeral home.

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