Erwin Hiltner

Erwin H. "Erv" Hiltner, age 80 of Sauk Centre, formerly of Elk River, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 3 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Sauk Centre.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Erwin Henry Hiltner was born July 3, 1935 in Melrose, Minnesota to Joseph and Josepha (Middendorf) Hiltner. Erv grew up in New Munich and went to Catholic School there and remained on the farm until marriage. He married Margaret "Marge" Messer on September 20, 1955 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osakis. After ten years of marriage, the couple moved to Elk River to raise their family. He worked at Crown Iron Works and had his own furniture refinishing business. After retirements, Erv continued with his furniture refinishing business. The couple lived in Elk River for 50 years before returning to the Sauk Centre area.

He attended St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre and was a longtime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #3264. Erv enjoyed fishing, gardening, dancing and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret "Marge" Hiltner of Sauk Centre; children, Bob Hiltner of Nowthen, Jerry Hiltner of Osakis, and Michael (Suzanne) Hiltner of Clear Lake; eight grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Louis (Rita) Hiltner of Sauk Centre, Doris (Eddie) Schneider of Cold Spring, Vernon (Carol) Hiltner of Coon Rapids, John (Eileen) Hiltner of New York, and Jane (Virgil) Fuchs of Belgrade; and sister-in-law, Patty (Allan) Ehlert of St. Joseph.

Erv was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joe Hiltner, Jr. and George; and sisters, Edna Cherne, Marie Voss, and Louise Loxtercamp.

Serving as casket bearers will be Craig Hiltner, Bryan Messer, Jamie Hiltner, Joe Frank, Tyler Johnson, and Tim Thornbloom. Cross bearer will be Logan Frank and scripture bearer will be Emma Frank.