Robert "Red" Erdrich

Robert “Red” Erdrich, 81 year old resident of Little Falls, MN passed away Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at his residence in Little Falls, surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Monday, October 29, 2012 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls with Father Nicholas Landsberger officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery in Little Falls. Visitation will from 4 to 8 PM on Sunday, October 28th at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls and from 10 to 11 A.M. on Monday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel. Military Rites will be conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46. Robert “Red” Erdrich was born on November 2, 1930 in Elmore Minnesota to the late Louis & Elizabeth (Ruf) Erdrich. The family moved to Valparaiso, IN for a short time before moving back to Minnesota and settling in Little Falls. He attended Little Falls grade school and High School, graduating in 1948. Robert was united in marriage to Mary Okroi on June 19, 1951 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls and made their home in rural Little Falls. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1953. He ran a meat market with his father, Louis and step-mother, Mary Ann Erdrich where he excelled as a butcher, sausage maker and specialty meat preparer for more than 30 years, He was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, rural fire chief, township officer, county commissioner, fire warden., he also served on many other boards and committees. Robert was a reserve deputy sheriff and coached basketball for St. Mary’s School for 7 years. He earned a Master Bowhunter Level award through the National Field Archery Association, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Two Cylinder Club. Robert was a life member of the Little Falls American Legion Post #46, Little Falls Sportsman Club, WI and MN Bowhunters, MN State Archery Association, MN Deer Hunters and MN State Fire Chiefs Association. He had many passions which included; hunting, fishing, gardening, farming and a wide variety of sports. Robert is survived by his five children, Mary (Martin) Bellefeuille of Little Falls, MN, Bob Erdrich Jr. of Little Falls, MN, Kathy Schwanke of Randall, MN, Pat Erdrich of Little Falls, MN and John (Kim) Erdrich of Little Falls, MN; brothers, Ralph (Rita) Erdrich and Fritz (Lorraine) Erdrich; 9 grandchildren and 14 great- grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Mary of 58 years on January 13, 2009; parents, Louis & Elizabeth; step-mother, Mary Ann; brother, Emil; infant daughter and grandson, Nicholas Bellefeuille. Pallbearers will be Chris Bellefeuille, Marty Bellefeuille, Nicholas Erdrich, Josh Erdrich, Luke Schwanke and Gus Schwanke.

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Robert "Red" Erdrich

November 2, 1930 - October 23, 2012