Ervin Linde

Pastor Ervin Duane Linde, 81, passed away Tuesday morning September 16, 2025 while under hospice care surrounded by loved ones. The family will hold a Celebration of Life for Pastor Ervin Linde from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at the Charles City VFW, 1505 North Grand Avenue. All friends and family are welcome. He was born September 21, 1943, in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Oliver and Pearl (Bighley) Linde, the oldest of three children that included sister Ella (Rickman) and brother Jerry. His family moved to Mason City, Iowa where Ervin attended Mason City Schools and graduated in 1962. He was part of the Mason City High School choir and glee club. After high school, Ervin attended Miracle Valley Bible College in Arizona where he became an ordained minister. He then started his own church, The Body Ministry of Christ, where he spread his love of Jesus and helped lead many people to Christ. On July 17, 1965, Ervin was united in marriage to Marrian Lee Clay. Together they raised seven children: Daniel, Timothy, Dawn, Matthew, Michael, Jonathan and Joshua. They later divorced. Years later, he met Judy Reetz, and they were married May 27, 2006. Judy and Ervin were rarely apart and stayed together until his passing. Ervin was an avid football fan, always cheering for the Minnesota Vikings. Sundays were for church and football. In the later years of his life, Ervin would spend Sundays at church with his wife and dear friend John Flick. When church was over, it was on to his son's house for a day of food and football, but it was more of an excuse to see his grandkids. Football was one of the loves of his life, but it paled in comparison to his love of Jesus and his family, especially his grandkids. Having six sons, and only one daughter, the girls of the family always held a special place in his heart, especially his bonus granddaughter, Journey. Pastor Ervin lived a life dedicated to God, family and helping people. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his six children: Dan (Sherry) Linde of Charles City, Tim (Sheryl) Linde of Chehalis, Washington, Dawn (Dave) Gelhausen of Oelwein, Matt Linde of Rockford, Mike (Dawn) Linde of Altoona and Jon Linde (Tamara Kelleher) of Charles City; step-daughter, Anna Butinski of Rockford; 21 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren; and his former wife and close friend, Marrian Linde of Charles City. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Pearl Linde; son, Joshua Linde; brother and sister: Jerry Linde and Ella Rickman; grandson, Dominic Linde; and stepson, Brock Monson.