THE SERVICE FOR BOBBY CAN BE VIEWED AT THE BOTTOM OF HIS OBITUARY ON THIS PAGE.

Ervin "Bobby" Jans, 80, formerly of Mercer, ND died March 19, 2022 at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck, ND.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30am, Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at the Mercer Community Center, Mercer, ND with Pastor Randy Emgarten officiating.  Burial will be held at the Hillside Cemetery, Mercer later in the spring.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the community center in Mercer.

Bobby was born on March 31, 1941 on a farm near Mercer, ND, the son of Fred and Bertha (Derheim) Jans.  He was the 3 ^rd child of eight.  He attended country school in rural Mercer.  Bobby married Diana Nelson on August 20, 1961 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Turtle Lake, ND and together they raised six children.

He worked for Sheridan County for a few years building roads.  He and Diana started and operated Jans Construction, building and remodeling homes and building other structures.  His specialty was building cabinets.  They also owned and operated Turtle Lake Redi Mix cement plant in Turtle Lake.

Bobby enjoyed listening to music, singing and playing his guitar.  He was the rhythm guitarist for the Profit Mountain Boys and later for his family's band, The Midnight Drifters.  He also loved visiting with family and friends as their home was always open.

Bobby is survived by his six children:  Laura (Bill) Miller, Bismarck, ND, Robert (Gina) Jans, Mercer, ND, Jerry (Tonya) Jans, Mandan, ND, David (Debbie) Jans, Wilton, ND, Janet (Terry) McFarlen, Bismarck, ND and Coni Reile (Johnny Shearry), Mandan, ND; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; his siblings:  Betty Schatz, Mercer, ND, Brenda (Bill) Meuchel-Fibiger, Mandan, ND, Arlene Peterson, McClusky, ND and Alvin Jans, Bismarck, ND and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 2018; one sister, Darlene (Earl) Cross; two brothers, Alvin in infancy and Dennis Jans; two grandsons, Eric Reile and Kolton Jans and one great grandson, Matthew Miller.