Erma Hentges

Erma Hentges, 88, Breckenridge, MN, formerly of Great Bend, ND, passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at St. Francis Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge, MN. Funeral services will be on Saturday, April 28 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, ND with Rev. Morris Stephens Jr. officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, Wahpeton, ND. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Erma was born on March 27, 1924 to Rudolph and Alma (Klawitter) Hoefs on their farm in rural Great Bend , ND. She grew up and attended school in Brandenburg Township and was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church. Erma was united in marriage to Ralph Hentges on April 17, 1941 at Trinity Lutheran Church and to this union six children were born.

Erma and Ralph lived on a farm near Lidgerwood, ND until 1957, when they moved to Great Bend and purchased Ed's Bar which they renamed Rusty's Bar and later became The Garden Bar. Erma owned and operated the bar until she retired in 1995. She was referred to by many as "Ma" and known well for saying, "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!" She continued to live in Great Bend until November, 2010 when she became a resident of St. Francis Healthcare Campus in Breckenridge, MN.

Erma enjoyed many years of camping and fishing with her longtime companion, Erv Koehler. She also enjoyed listening to the Minnesota Twins and supported many sports teams in the Great Bend area. She especially loved spending time with her family and going to many of her grandchildren's events.

Erma is survived by her children: Roger (Donna) Hentges, West Fargo, ND, Carol Travers, West St. Paul, MN, Paul (Patty) Hentges, Great Bend, ND, Darrell Hentges, Great Bend, ND, Laura (Ted) Petersen, Kent, MN, Deborah (Steve Kubela) Hentges, St. Peter, MN; her 19 grandchildren; her 33 great-grandchildren; and her loving companion, Erv Koehler, Fargo, ND and his special family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her granddaughter, Jill Hogue.