Claude Erisman, Jr. passed away on May 5, 2026, just a couple weeks after celebrating his 91st birthday. He was born on April 22, 1935, to Claude and Effie (DeBuhr) Erisman.

Junior graduated from Bratton Union Consolidated School in 1953. He was active in basketball and track.

Junior was in the second grade when he began farming. He recalled raking hay with a team of horses and a dump rake. He also had to milk the cow, carrying the pail of milk ¼ mile from the barn to the house and having to cross a creek over a plank. When his father began managing the Auburn Airport, Junior took over the farming operation full time and continued planting and harvesting up until a year ago.

Junior served 9 years in the National Guard 195th Tank Battalion. It was during peacetime and he recalled the last 2 years being dedicated to infantry as the country was preparing for the Vietnam War.

On March 3, 1957, Junior married Mary Ellyn Fencil. They lived near Nemaha then later moved to his parents’ farm near Humboldt. They were blessed with three daughters: Pamela Rae, Deanna Kae, and Kellie Jo. Mary passed away on April 29, 2010.

One of his favorite passions was bulldozing for JD Lockard, Greg Fischer, and then for Steve. When he wasn’t in a tractor you could find him on a dozer.

Junior loved his family, friends, farming, and fishing. He was quick to share a joke and a Budweiser at the roundtable and always had a puzzle in progress on the bar in the kitchen. When Mary passed, he was blessed to find love and companionship with Linda Hoover.

Junior is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, son-in-law Barry Bogan, and brothers Jerry, Bill, and Norman. He is survived by his daughters Pam (Steve) Stanley of Stella, Kae (John) Wissler of Benton, AR, Kellie (Gary) Ramer of Shubert; grandchildren Heath (Lindsay) Stanley, Ben (Jessica) Stanley, Adam (Becky) Stanley, Kade (Dillon) Stanley-Johnson, Sean (Deonna) Wissler, Brooke (Jay) Gerdes; great-grandchildren Mackenzie, Morgan, Hadley, Blaine, Haley, and Brock Stanley, Olivia Irwin, Kaeleigh, Jace, and Charlee Wissler, Brett, Emaly, Heidi, and Blake Gerdes. He is also survived by his sister Christine (Wayne) Schulz of Beatrice, sister- and brother-in-law DeLauris (Jerry) Fankhauser of Humboldt; special friend Linda Hoover and her children Eugene (Carolyn) Hoover of North Carolina, Violet Hoover of Omaha, Derrick Hoover of Auburn; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of close friends.

A funeral service will be Saturday, May 9, 11:00 a.m. at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn. Visitation will be at the funeral home Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 6:00 to 8:00. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Cemetery near Humboldt.

Memorials are suggested to Stella Fire Department or Humboldt Fire and Rescue.