Mr. John Ertman

John W. Ertman, lifelong resident of Weston County passed away Sunday, September 21, 2014 after a brief illness.

John was born February 17, 1930 to Leo and Agnes Ertman of Canyon Springs Prairie in the house on his grandfather Billy Ertman's homestead. Dr. Horton came from Newcastle by sled for the delivery. He attended country school up on the prairie. It was hard for him to play hooky because the teacher lived with his family. John graduated from Newcastle High School in 1947. He attended the University of Wyoming but only for one semester because the prairie called him back home.

It was a hunting trip to Jackson Hole where he would meet his future wife Connie. They were married on January 29, 1952 and resided at the Louis Petterson homestead on the prairie, not far from where John was born and raised. Of this union three sons were born: John Lee, Ted Joe and Clay Timothy. John taught his sons the value of hard work including milking the cows, digging potatoes, feeding livestock and even plucking the chickens. To supplement their income, John with his sons, spent several winters contracting with the Forest Service to cut timber.

After years of acquiring various homesteads, in 2005 John sold his ranch and moved to town. He was a member of the Christ The King Lutheran Church. He also spent many an hour playing cribbage at the Weston County Senior Center.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Connie; his two sons, John Lee (Helen) and Ted Joe (Marty); three grandsons, three granddaughters; and seven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Clay and his parents.

Memorial services were held September 25th, 2014 at Weston County Senior Services. Interment was at Boyd Cemetery, Four Corners, WY.

The family requests memorials to be given to Weston County Senior Services or Boyd Cemetery.

Cemetery Details