Erwin Neprud, 80, Shelly, Minnesota, died Sunday, April 18, 2010, at his residence.
Erwin Kermit Neprud was born on May 9, 1929, to Eli and Emma (Hoiland) Neprud, of Shelly, MN. He graduated from Halstad High School, Halstad, MN. Erwin was united in marriage to Ruth Marcella Olson, at Zion Lutheran Church near Shelly, on October 17, 1953. They farmed near Shelly, his entire life.

Erwin was a small grain farmer the majority of his life and was in the hog business 65 years. He was a Premiere Breeder of purebred Hampshire hogs. He showed hogs at regional, state and national levels in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa. Erwin was a member of the Minnesota Pork Producers and the Northern Purebred Swine Breeders Association. He served on the Norman County Fairboard and was an Honorary FFA Chapter and State Farmer. Erwin was an active supporter of organizations supporting agriculture, such as 4-H and Future Farmers of America. Erwin and Marcella were the recipients of the North Dakota State University Outstanding Agriculturalist Award of Norman County in 1997. They are co-owners of a Century Farm and were recognized for that achievement. He was a Trustee, treasurer and lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church. He was an employee and foreman at American Crystal for over 25 years. Erwin served in the United States Army and was stationed in San Antonio, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, and Germany. He was also a member of the American Legion.

He was married almost 57 years to Marcella, his life-long sweetheart. He had 7 children and 10 grandchildren. He was a loving family man and was very proud of all his children and grandchildren. He was an avid reader, a skilled marksman, and a creative and talented craftsman. He enjoyed working in the garden with Marcella, as well as making lefse and donuts. This past summer he celebrated his 80th birthday with his entire family. His family will remember him for his dry sense of humor and for being the most unselfish and sincere person we know.

Erwin is survived by his wife, Marcella; four sons, Buzz (Barb), Crosby, MN, Dean (Jennifer), Lewistown, MT, Jim, Crookston, MN, Rob (Tonia), Deerwood, MN; three daughters, Marsha (Jim) Kapphahn, Fargo, ND, Lori (Joe) Ardovino, Alabaster, AL, Kristi (Jerome) Freeberg, Lisbon, ND, ten grandchildren, and one sister, Ruby Solhaug, Warren, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Noel.

Funeral Service: 2:00 PM, Thursday, April 22, 2010, at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Shelly, MN.
Visitation: Wednesday from 5:00-7:00PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00pm at the Fredrikson Valley Funeral Home, Halstad.
Burial: Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Shelly, MN.