Irene Marie Erhart

** VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE BY CLICKING ON WEBLINK ABOVE ** Irene M. Erhart, age 85 of Belle Fourche, died Saturday December 27, 2014 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am Saturday, January 3, 2015 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Belle Fourche. Visitation will be 4 to 6 pm Friday at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Irene Marie Schafer was born October 11, 1929 in Glen Ullin, North Dakota. She was the daughter of Matthew and Mary (Lang) Schafer. Irene grew up in Glen Ullin, and attended the Sacred Heart Parochial School. On May 19, 1947 she was united in marriage with Leo Erhart in Glen Ullin. To this union six children were born: Dennis, Linda, Cal, Allen, Janet, and Bonnie. Shortly after their marriage in 1950, they moved to Spearfish and in 1957 they began their business, “Leo’s Bus Service” which they owned and operated for many years. In 1976 they moved to a farm near Bozeman Montana and in 2003 they came to Belle Fourche where they have lived since. Irene spent many years driving bus back in the days of running the business with Leo. She worked hard to provide for her family and leaves a legacy behind her. She was a great cook and she enjoyed baking, cooking, and canning and taking care of her husband and children. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and she will be missed so much. Irene is survived by her husband of 67 years, Leo Erhart of Belle Fourche; daughters, Linda Ladson of Spearfish, Janet Erhart of New Mexico, Bonnie Erhart of Spearfish; son, Cal (Nora) Erhart of Belle Fourche; 21 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; sisters, Joan Meier of Northfield MN, Patty Kroh of Glen Ullin ND, Lillian Denius of Phoenix AZ; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Dennis and Allen; grandson, Dennis Lee; son-in-law, Mel Ladson; daughter-in-law, Marlyce Erhart; brothers, Duane, Larry, Curly, and John Schafer; and sisters, Claudia Kobalinsky, Polly Fitterer, Arlene Schmautz, and Violet Karch. Date of Birth October 11, 1929 – Glen Ullin, North Dakota   Date of Death December 27, 2014 – Belle Fourche, South Dakota   Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 A.M. – Saturday – January 3, 2015 St. Paul Catholic Church Belle Fourche, South Dakota   Celebrant Father Tyler Dennis   Special Music “Be Not Afraid”, “Prayer of St. Francis” “Shepherd Me Oh God”, “Precious Lord Take My Hand” Nate Collins, soloist Erica Sowers, pianist – Katie Hoffman, cantor   Urnbearers Isaac Collins                      Victor Erhart Nate Collins                       Slade Ladson   Interment Black Hills National Cemetery Sturgis, South Dakota