Ervin Naasz

Ervin Naasz passed away in the early morning of June 3, 2019 after a long, well-lived life. He was born on October 23, 1918 to John and Christine Naasz in Java, South Dakota. When he was four years old, his family moved from South Dakota to Napoleon, North Dakota and he attended school there until he was a junior in high school. At that time, they moved to Pompeys Pillar to be near his uncle, Adam Naasz who wanted the family to move to Montana to work sugar beets. Ervin graduated from high school in Worden. He then got a job doing carpentry in Edmonton building a new hospital on the Alaskan Highway. He did that for one year and then came back to the Project area and started farming with his folks when they rented a farm and eventually bought several other places. He grew sugar beets, peas, and grain. Ervin continued his carpentry with many projects through the years.

Ervin married Betty Bayers at his family’s home place on January 25, 1942. They moved to Worden where they operated a dairy farm on Road 18 together with his brother, Milt for 30 years. They picked up and delivered to Billings their milk and cream along with many other dairy farms in the area. Ervin and Betty raised one daughter, Pamela (Pammy to her dad). After Ervin retired from the dairy, he worked at the Farmer’s Union in Worden. He enjoyed playing golf, going to coffee, and attended the local basketball and football games in his free time. Ervin and Betty were married for 64 years before she passed away in 2006. They were avid square dancers and spent many happy hours dancing with friends. He enjoyed and hardly ever missed his Fridays at Senior Citizens for a meal and playing cards with his friends.

Ervin is survived by his grandson, Bart (Kristi), grandchildren, Marissa (Caleb), Jarrett, Tucker, and Baxter. He stuck around long enough to meet his great-great-granddaughter, Hailey Ann (2 months old). He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, and Daughter, Pam, by his siblings, Elsa, Edna, Gerard, Milt, Lucille, Lucinda, and Gladys, and his parents, John and Christine.

Ervin will be remembered by his family and community for his easy smile, sense of humor, and all around great guy. We were very lucky to have him for so many extra years as he thought he would be gone before the first grandchild was born. Rest well Grampa, you definitely deserve it!

If anyone would like to make a donation in Ervin’s name, please donate to a place of your choosing. We are having a Memorial Luncheon at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8 at the Bethlehem Congregational Church in Worden and a burial at 1 p.m. at the Pleasantview Cemetery in Ballantine. Condolences and stories may be shared at smithfuneralchapels.com.