Ervin D. Klouse, 84, of Mason City, Iowa, died Friday, May 3, 2019, in Mason City due to health issues.

Ervin was born on Jan. 31, 1935, in Toeterville, Iowa, the son of Anton R. and Hazel F. (Hyland) Klouse and youngest of five children. He graduated from Rose Creek High School, Rose Creek, Minnesota.

Following graduation in 1953, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was discharged two years later at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and returned to Austin, Minnesota. He did construction with the family business for a few years before joining the Milwaukee Railroad in 1957. This later became the Soo Railroad. He worked for the Soo Railroad and the Canadian Pacific Railroad. He retired as a conductor in 1995 after 38 ½ years.

He was married to Ardith Neus on June 26, 1954, in Adams, Minnesota. To this union, five children were born. They moved to Mason City in 1963 and later divorced in 1974.

Ervin married Lois (Hanson) Jensen on Aug. 1, 1981, and they lived in Mason City. Lois died in 2006.

Ervin was a member of First United Methodist Church, the VFW, and American Legion 101 Eagles. He served on the board of directors at the Mason City Senior Care Center. He enjoyed woodworking and was a collector of many things!

Erv and Lois enjoyed traveling in their RV with their pets, Buffy and Cassie. He enjoyed turkey and deer hunting. Ervin also liked to dancing to polka music, playing the accordion, and attending events at the VFW. He also loved to take casino trips with his friends and gamble. During high school, he was an amateur boxer.

Ervin is survived by his five children, Curtis (Nan) Klouse, Craig (Janet) Klouse, Cheryl (Robert) Powell, Corey (Karen) Klouse and Chad Klouse, all of Mason City; three stepsons, Randy (Cheri) Jensen, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Steve (Barb) Jensen, Medford, New Jersey, and Mark (Beth) Jensen, Sioux Falls; 12 grandchildren, Jason, Amber, Eric, Jennifer, Stefanie, Kristin, Katherin, Daniel, Megan, Sierra, Ashley and Taylor; seven step-grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; sister-in-law, Mavis Klouse, of Austin; and special friend, Janice Jensen of Hollandale, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois; brothers, Richard, Clifford and Marvin; and sister, Delores.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church, 119 South Georgia Ave., Mason City, IA 50401. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday May 8, 2019, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, IA 50401. Interment will follow in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.