Ernest E. “Ernie” Bahm

Ernest E. "Ernie" Bahm, 78 of Billings, MT passed away on January 20, 2006 at St. Vincent Healthcare. Ernie was born in Rural Morton County, North Dakota, near Mandan, on October 11, 1927 to Emil and Anna (Hagerott) Bahm.

He lived on the family farm south of Mandan, where he helped farm until joining the Army. He served in Korea during the Korean Conflict, later being honorably discharged.

Ernie was married to Viola Basler before heading to Korea. Their son Dennis was born while he was serving his country. They were later divorced. He then married Anita Ford in 1968.

Ernie and Anita made their home in Billings, where they owned and operated Bahm's Carpet Center for over 35 years, until Ernie's retirement in 1997.

He was a member of the Ashlar Lodge, the Al Bedoo Shrine, and the American Legion.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Anita Bahm of Billings; son, Dennis (Sharon) Bahm; step-children, Karen Ford, Ian Ford, David (Wynn) Ford, Hugh (Lois) Ford, Ragnhild (Tom) Adams, and Fraser (Lisa) Ford; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Reisenauer, Grace Uhler, Marilyn Burch, Janet Dykshoorn, Agnes Kline, and Darlene Cairns; brothers, Darrell Bahm and Emil "Junior" Bahm.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and a brother, Vernon Bahm.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, January 23, 2006 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Billings. Additional services will be held at 10:30 a.m. (CST), on Wednesday, January 25, at First Lutheran Church in Mandan, ND. Burial with military honors will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the burial.

Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings and Buehler-Larson Funeral Home in Mandan are in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Shrine Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 20673 Billings, MT 59104.