Douglas McArthur Erne

Douglas McArthur Erne was born March 29, 1942 in Fargo, North Dakota, the son of Henry Erne and Esther (Arenson) Erne. Doug's early years were spent in Atwater, Minnesota. He later moved to Terril, Iowa, where he attended high school and graduated in 1960. In June of 1960, Doug enlisted in the United States Army. During his time in the Army, he served in Germany during the building of the Berlin Wall, Vietnam, Korea, and various stateside assignments. Doug retired from the Army on June 30, 1980. Doug was united in marriage to Marlene Simington on June 11, 1966 at the First Christian Church in Spencer, Iowa. Upon his retirement from the Army, he worked for the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance and several other businesses in Clay and Dickinson County. Doug passed away Friday, May 16, 2008 at Spencer Hospital in Spencer, Iowa at sixty-six years of age. He was preceded in death by his parents, half-brothers Maynard Lewis and Ernest Erne, half sisters Jo Ann Lewis and Yvonne Johnson. He is survived by his wife of forty-one years, Marlene of Milford, Iowa; sons Kevin Erne and his wife Susan of Borrstadt, Germany, and Kyle Erne and his wife Elizabeth of Lake Park. Also left to cherish his memory are six grandchildren, Devin, Maegan, Morgan, Jordan, Ashley and Aaron. He is also survived by a number of cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends throughout the country.