Ervin D. Mencke, age 88, of Escondido, CA, and formerly of 143 Nicollet Ave. SW, Huron, died Thursday, May 6th, 2004, at the Valley Vista Convalescent Hospital at Escondido. His funeral service will be at 10:30 AM Friday, May 14, at American Lutheran Church with Rev. Steven Brandsrud officiating. Burial will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with Military Rites by the Huron Veterans Council. Friends may call Thursday from 4:00 - 9:00 PM at the Welter Funeral Home or prior to the service at the church Friday morning. Ervin Daniel Mencke was born on April 29, 1916, to Albert and Lena (Kobes) Mencke at Baxter, IA. When he was an infant he moved with his family to a farm north of Huron and attended country school. In 1936, Ervin moved into Huron and began working for Peaveys Building Supplies. On August 23, 1940, Ervin married Irene Louise Schamp at Council Bluffs, IA. The couple returned to Huron where they made their home. He continued to work for Peaveys as a salesman until February 17, 1945, when he entered the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was honorably discharged on February 23, 1946, as a Seaman 1st Class. He returned to Huron and resumed working for Peaveys until 1972. He then worked for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for 10 years, retiring in 1982. He was a member of American Lutheran Church, a lifetime member of the Elks Club and a lifetime member of the William Reaves American Legion Post #7. His many interests included fishing, hunting, playing pool, traveling, and he was an avid reader. He is survived by 1 daughter, Linda (Dennis) Avery of Ramona, CA; 2 grandchildren, Tami Avery and Stacey Avery; 2 nieces, Dorothy (Eugene) Waldner of Huron, and Shirley (Don) Schmeyer of El Carrito, CA; and 2 nephews, Herb Mencke of Huron, and James (Trudy) Mencke of Marysville, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Irene on December 17, 1989; 3 brothers and spouses, Herbert (Ann) Mencke, Henry (Ann) Mencke, and William Mencke; and 1 nephew, Gene Mencke.