Ervin F. Vollbaum (1915-2003)

VOLLAUM

Posted By: Patrick Turner (email)
Date: 1/16/2003 at 22:07:23

January 2, 2003
Gazette: Shelby

In Memory: Ervin Fred Vollbaum

Ervin Fred Vollbaum, 87, died at his rural Shelby home on December 27, 2002.

He was born August 26, 1915 in Council Bluffs, one of three children in the family of William and Minnie Wede Vollbaum. Ervin attended the Franz Country School.

He worked at the Hudson Motor Car Company Bomber Plant in Detroit, Michigan as a structural supervisor during the production of the B-26 aircraft from June 1941 to July 1942.

In August of 1942, Ervin joined the United States Army and served in the Army Air Corps as an aircraft sheet metal worker.

During World War II he served with great distinction as a member of the 452 Bombardment Group supporting B-17 aircraft engaged in the Allied bombing of Germany. He also flew as a crewmember supporting the Food Relief Missions to war-torn Holland.

At the conclusion of World War II he was honorably discharged and returned to the family farm south of Shelby.

Ervin married Ruby Frederickson on September 18, 1948 in the English Lutheran Church in Avoca. They were the parents of two children: Carl and Joy.

Ervin and Ruby continued to live on the family farm where they operated a dairy and farmed. He enjoyed going to farm shows, antique tractor shows and air shows. After semi-retirement, he continued to enjoy the outdoors by gardening. Whenever something needed to be fixed, Ervin was always willing to give it a try. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

His parents and two brothers, Edwin and Walter, preceded Ervin in death. Survivors include his wife Ruby of rural Shelby; two children, Carl Vollbaum of rural Shelby and Joy and her husband, John Buckland of Wichita, Kansas; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Ceremonies were held at the Knutson Funeral Chapel in Avoca Monday, December 30 at 10:30 A.M. with Pastor Lou Hoger and Lay Assistant Wayne Paulsen officiating. Interment was at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca, with military graveside rites by Fred Funston Post #227.