Erwin N. "Cactus" Warner, 72, Mesquite, NV, formerly of Halstad, MN, died Monday, February 27, 2017, at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.

Cactus was born October 10, 1944 to Erwin and Madelyn Warner in Halstad, Minnesota. He grew up and attended Halstad High School, excelling in sports. He was known as a dynamic football, basketball, and baseball player, earning several All-Conference awards and leading the Halstad Pirates to the regional tournament in 1961. In college, at Moorhead State University, Cactus played basketball and baseball and was captain for both teams, earning an All-Conference award in his senior year. Cactus graduated from MSU with degrees in both Physical Education and Business Administration in 1967.

As a high school business teacher and coach in Terry, Montana, Cactus met Kathleen Lange, the 4th grade teacher in Terry, and the two were married on June 14, 1969 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Forsyth, Montana.

Cactus undertook graduate work at the University of Montana at Missoula and over the course of several summers, earned his MBA and an MA in Physical Education.

Cactus finished his tenure in Terry coaching the Terriers in three state basketball tournaments. Later, while living in Glasgow, Montana, Cactus coached the Glasgow Scotties to a state basketball appearance.

In 1978 he came home to Halstad to run the family grocery store after the untimely death of his sister and brother-in-law. He began farming sugar beets on the North Dakota side of the river near Hillsboro. Cactus was a board member of American Crystal Sugar Company for several years, serving as chairman in 1993.

He returned to coaching basketball in the fall of 1980, eventually taking the Norman County West Panthers to state tourneys in 1986, 1987, and 1997, with a championship in 1987. He retired from coaching with a 208-70 record in Halstad, and more than 400 wins across his career.

Cactus loved sports; playing and watching. He was an avid golfer, playing as much as he was able to. He also loved traveling with his wife, spending time with his grandchildren, and coming home to Halstad to help his brother with harvest in the fall.

He is survived by his wife Kathy; two daughters, Brianna (Daryl) Watson of Riverton, and Annette (Rick) Salyer of Henderson, Nevada; a son, Nathan (Glenna) Warner of Mesquite, Nevada; and four grandchildren: Derek and Shelby Watson and Regan and Aric Salyer. Cactus is also survived by a brother, Scott Warner, Halstad, Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Janice Melting; brother-in-law John A. Melting; and nephew, Jay Melting.

Memorial Mass: 11:00AM Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Norman County West High School Gymnasium, Halstad, MN.

Visitation: One hour before the mass at the school.

Burial: Halstad North Cemetery.