Erna Jean Deutz

Erna J. Deutz, age 80 of Grafton, ND, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at the Altru Hospital of Grand Forks, ND

Erna McNeel was born November 16, 1937 in Afton, Wyoming, the daughter of Glidden and Elizabeth McNeel. She attended school at Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyoming. She married Lawrence Deutz of Edgeley, North Dakota, in Alpine, Wyoming on June 18, 1956 and moved to Park River, ND shortly after. They eventually made their home in Grafton, ND, where they raised their four children. They were married for 62 years. She will be remembered by everyone for her strong faith and love of family. She had a deep appreciation for all of God’s creations, including nature, and lived a life full of faith, strength, and love. Her last days on Earth were spent surrounded by her husband, sister, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Erna is survived by her husband, Lawrence, Grafton, ND; children: Darrell (Liane) Deutz, Grafton, ND, Dianne Mehlhoff, Grafton, ND, Carla (Al) Dunker, Minot, ND, and Ronnie (Julie) Deutz, Fargo, ND; grandchildren: Leah (Donald) Johannes, Shane (Kristen) Dunker, Andrew Mehlhoff, Nick (Kelsey) Deutz, Spencer (Carley) Deutz, and Emily Deutz; great grandchildren: Creighton, Drew, Adison, Ryder, Quin, Emmett, Theodore, and Cambelle; brothers: Edwin, Merrill, and J.C. McNeel; and sisters: Julia Ritchey and Cheryl Tarrell. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond, Glenn, Paul Lloyd, and Cliff McNeel.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 6, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Bethel Free Lutheran Church, Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Friday from 12:30 until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Park River, ND.