Jay Erb

Jay B. Erb, Mesa, AZ went home to his heavenly father on September 7, 2024. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, October 17, 2024, at DaWise-Perry/Mandan Crematory, 4211 Old Red Trail NW, Mandan. Inurnment will be in the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Jay was born September 11, 1948, in Minot to James and Yvonne (Giffey) Erb. Jay’s school years were in Ryder where he participated in 4-H, Band and Basketball graduating in 1966. Jay attended Minot State College enlisting in the US Army in 1968. He served in Viet Nam from November 1968 until he was critically wounded May 1969 near Tam Ky, Viet Nam after being there two days. He was on Hamburger Hill prior to being moved to Tam Ky. After multiple surgeries in Viet Nam, Japan and Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver, Jay was honorably discharged. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal and Bronze Star Medal. Jay was proud of his service to his country and his fellow veterans as he supported the Wounded Warrior Program and Salvation Army. He also supported the Phoenix Children’s Hospital in honor of his daughter Heidi.

Jay married JoNell Sandstrom in 1970 and from this union Heidi Lee was born. During this time, and because of his multiple surgeries and months of hospitalization, he became interested in Anesthesia and went to nursing school in Denver and Minot and then on to Anesthesia and became a Nurse Anesthetist. He practiced for 25 years in multiple locations as a traveling Nurse Anesthetist in South Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming and Minnesota.

Jay married Peggy McQuirk in 1995. After the loss of his daughter in 2001 Jay retired and spent his winters in Arizona and summers in North Dakota. He enjoyed golfing in leagues and with his parents and the Ryder Gang. He enjoyed Poker Nights with buddies once a month while living in Arizona. Jay eventually made Arizona his permanent residence and with failing health in 2015 he moved into Assisted Living. He loved to reminisce about his days in Ryder with his sister and while in her care was always grateful and appreciative. He enjoyed the buddies that continued to show up at his time of need and their renewed and lasting relationships.

Jay was preceded in death by his daughter Heidi and his parents.

Jay is survived by sister Tondi (Don) McGuire and brother Kim Erb and Troy Officer along with his nieces/nephews Amanda (Brett) Joersz, Amber McGuire, James (Yenny) Erb Angela (Seth) Guenther and Robert (Nikki) Erb. He had several great nieces and nephews

Jay would want to thank Discovery Point Retirement Community, Endeavor Hospice and Doves caregivers that allowed him to independent living with their help until the time of his death Jay’s final resting place is ND Veteran’s Cemetery south of Mandan. God Bless the USA!