Photo courtesy of Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Aug 21, 1935 – May 4, 2021 (Age 85)
Erwin Eisner was born to Olga and August Eisner in Aleksandrovka by Zhytomir in the Ukraine on August 21, 1935. The village was primarily made up of German immigrants who survived the Great Famine of 1933.
After the Battle of Stalingrad in August 1942, the bloodiest battle in history, the Eisners were forced to flee from Russian soldiers. Along with thousands of refugees they made their way to Poland and into Germany, where they lived near Wolfsburg.
After the war, August was offered the opportunity to take the family to America to work on a farm in South Dakota. After a sea voyage through Cuba and New Orleans in 1952, the family, consisting of mother, father, daughters Maria and Olga and sons, Erwin and Helmut, traveled by train to Sioux Falls.
In 1963, Erwin met Annemarie Ermler. They married in 1964 and Erwin adopted Annemarie's son Walter after building a home in Brandon. Two brothers, Tom and Eric, followed in 1964 and 1968.
The family moved to Luverne in 1968 where Erwin worked at the local power plant and Annemarie worked at the local library until 1997.
The family grew. In 1990, Walter married Jan and in 1993, Tom gave them their first grandson, Christopher. Eric moved to the Black Hills where he met Urszula. They were married in Urszula's native Poland on New Year's Eve 2005. Two sons, Alex and Ean followed in 2008 and 2011.
After 17 years of joyful retirement, Annemarie passed away in 2014.
Erwin is survived by his sons - Walter, Thomas and Eric, daughters-in-law - Jan and Urszula, grandsons - Christopher, Alex and Ean and, sister Maria Heinze (Jim), brother Helmut (Sharon) and niece, Lisa Heinze.
Celebration of life service will be held 3:00pm Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Heritage Funeral Home, 4800 S. Minnesota Avenues, Sioux Falls, SD 57108. Visitation with family present will be 1:00p.m. -3:00p.m. prior to the service.www.heritagesfsd.com
www.heritagesfsd.com
Read MoreWe are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all with love, Courtney, Shana & Devin Schaefer
Shana Schaefer
May 13, 2021 | Pine Island, MN | Friend
Sending our love and sympathy at the passing of your Father.
May the love of friends and family comfort you at this time.
Charles and Linda Glasco
May 11, 2021 | Altos Del Maria | Friend
Seeing Erwin brightened my days. He always had a smile and a kind heart. Even though I only knew him a short time I will miss him dearly. Prayers for his family.
Holly Peters
May 11, 2021 | Friend
Sending my love and sympathy for your loss.
Hugs,
Nancy Pickett
Nancy Pickett
May 10, 2021 | Eagan, MN | Friend
He was kind, generous, and wise. I feel privileged to have known him.
Paul Vance
May 10, 2021 | Minneapolis, MN
Such a gentle giant. He and AnneMarie were so kind. The was in Sister Cities with them. My deepest sympathy.
Colleen Schulte
May 09, 2021 | Friend
A great brother in law to my family and children. we all miss you erwin and enjoy meeting your wife again.
OTTO Ermler
May 09, 2021 | Spirit Lake, IA
I know one of Erwin's last thoughts must have been how blessed he was to have such a loving family.
Tom Kingrey
May 09, 2021 | St. Paul, MN | Friend
I’m loving memory of my kind hearted Uncle Erwin. You will truly be missed. Love, Sandy and Kirbie
Sandy Gonzales
May 09, 2021 | Houston, TX | Family
