Theodore Noel Erb, Jr. 1948-2020

ERB, COOK, NISSEN

Posted By: Barry R Huntsinger (email)
Date: 10/23/2020 at 11:57:58

Theodore Noel Erb Jr., was born on January 21, 1948 in Keokuk, Iowa to Theodore Noel and Shirley Ann (Cook) Erb Sr. He passed away on October 6, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa at the age of 72 years.

He attended Central Argyle High School, graduating in 1966. He earned his Associate’s degree from Iowa Lakes Community College, his Bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University and his Master's degree from Drake University.

Ted married Myrtle JoAnn Nissen on June 28, 1975 at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Graettinger, Iowa.

Ted worked for Ferrell Gas in Keokuk, Northern Propane in Graettinger, Graettinger Agri System, as well as True Value in Graettinger, Christensen-Larson Construction in Estherville, Iowa, Mid-State Builders in Spencer and Bargloff Builder and Company in Storm Lake, Iowa. He then owned and operated Customized Firefighting where he made burn and flashover simulators that he used to train firefighters.

Ted was a member of the Graettinger Benefitted Fire Department for 36 years, from 1974-2010. He was also an instructor for the Iowa State Fire Service Institute (Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau), teaching firefighters throughout the State of Iowa. Ted was one of the first EMT-As for the Graettinger Ambulance Service when it was first implemented. It was owned and operated through Fuhrman Funeral Home in Graettinger.

Ted was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in North Liberty, Iowa.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Myrtle (Nissen) Erb, North Liberty; his son, Bill (Rachel) Erb, Coralville, Iowa; grandchildren, Autumn, Alexis and Abigail Erb, Coralville, Bernard Erb, Pocahontas, Iowa, Bethany Erb, Humboldt, Iowa and Kyle Erb, Iowa City; great-grandchildren, Travis and Makenna.

Theodore is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Noel and Shirley Ann (Cook) Erb Sr, his grandparents, John F. Erb, Sr. and Amelia Erb and Harvey and Iceal Cook, his mother and father-in-law, Roy and Irene Nissen.

A scholarship fund will be set up in Theodore N. Erb Jr's name for individuals furthering their education in Fire Science, Emergency Management and Emergency Medical Service.

The funeral service was held Monday, October 12, 2020 at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville with burial at Lost Island Lutheran Cemetery, Ruthven, Iowa.

(Source: Henry-Olson Funeral Home, Estherville, Iowa.)