Ervin Gums passed away Saturday, September 11, 2021 at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown at the age of 98.
Family will be receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, September 16, 2021 at Eddy Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, September 17 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Jamestown, ND with Pastor Jennifer McDonald, Fred Gums and Bill Weispfenning officiating. Interment will be in Highland Home Cemetery.
Ervin was born on November 16, 1922, in Logan County, North Dakota to Fred and Katherine (Vossler) Gums. He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1940 and enlisted in the Navy in December 1942, serving as a Seabee in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged in January, 1946, and returned to his former employment at the Bridgeman Russell Creamery. This may have been the beginning of his life-long love of ice cream. It was also here that he met and fell in love with Nora Lehr. Following their marriage on February 1, 1948, in the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Jamestown, they enjoyed over 73 years together.
Ervin also worked as a salesman for Cudahy Packing and for the Northern Pacific Railroad. From 1958-1965, he and his brother Lloyd owned and operated Twin Highway Mobil Service Station. After this, Ervin worked as the night manager at Jamestown Truck Plaza until his retirement in 1984. He also had a Star Route mail contract for 20 years. He still found time to enjoy motorcycle riding and often said that he owned Harleys before they were cool.
Ervin was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Over the years he served as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, and lay leader. Next to his faith in Christ, his family was most important to him. To them, he left a legacy of hard work, common sense, financial stewardship, generosity, faithful love, and commitment to the Lord and His Word.
Ervin will be lovingly remembered by his wife Nora; his children, Fred (Kamie), Le Mars, IA; Mark (Roxanne), Las Vegas, NV; Robert (Candace), Jamestown, ND; Steve (Rachel), Fargo, ND; and Debbie Stitzer, Raleigh, NC; his grandchildren, David (Kathy) Gums, Marie (Shannon) Arduser, Andy (Nicole) Gums, Lucas (Eulalia) Gums, Robbie (Christy) Stitzer, and Jennifer (Brad) Petrie; 18 great grandchildren; a brother, Lloyd Gums, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Fred Jr., Harold and Reuben, and his sisters Leah Fuehrer, Helen Powers, and Edna Weispfenning, and his son-in-law, Rob Stitzer.
“He fought the good fight, he finished the course, he kept the faith. . . “
Eddy Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
