Ernie C. Ibach, 94, of Mandan passed away on April 21, 2023. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 25, at 6:00 pm at the Bismarck Funeral Home. A livestream of the service will be available on the Bismarck Funeral Home website.
A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Ernie was the youngest of 5 children born on November 23, 1928 in Mandan, North Dakota to Jacob and Katherine Ibach. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School where he played basketball and continued to play for BJC. On March 9, 1966 he married Cleo Sackman and became a part of an instant family of 4 children, whom he loved with all his heart. To this union their son, Mike was born July 18th of 1967, completing the family.
Ernie loved spending time with family and loved ones. He was an Avid sports fan, liked watching the Packers, Warriors and Yankees, but especially loved watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities. He enjoyed playing pinochle and bingo and going to the casino.
Ernie and Cleo would stop at all their favorite casinos as they traveled to California to spend thewinter with their daughter Robyn and family. They also loved to travel to Minnesota to visit daughters, Barb and Tracy and families. He loved being outdoors taking care of his yard, spending time with his son, Mike and family and visiting with his neighbors.
Ernie served his country in the Army for 2 years, stationed in Germany. He was fortunate enough to have a brother already stationed there that he could visit. He was a member of the VFW.
Before retirement, Ernie was an excellent and very well liked beer salesman. Along his many routes across ND, he made numerous friends while sharing many stories.
Ernie will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his children, Barb Hass (George), Robyn Mosset (late Tony), Tracy Lockrem (Jon Strack) and Mike Ibach (Jo); 14 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Michael and Joseph; sisters, Ann and Hattie; wife Cleo; son, Roger, and 2 great grandchildren, Sean and Seth.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of the Red River Valley and Baptist Health and Rehab (formerly known as Baptist Home) for the excellent care and comfort they provided to Ernie and his family.
Please raise a Busch Light in honor of the best “beer man” who ever lived.