Alexander John Erwert

Alexander John "Stogie" Erwert was the eleventh of thirteen children born to John Frank Erwert and Anna Mary Schmidt in Mt. Angel, Oregon. He attended grade school at Grassy Pond and St. Mary's Academy. He finished his education at Mt. Angel Preparatory, where he graduated in 1949. Around this time he acquired the nickname "Stogie," after the cigars he enjoyed. He was affectionately known as Stogie by family and friends thereafter. John Erwert died in 1941, leaving Anna to run their farm outside of Mt. Angel. Stogie grew up helping bag and dry hops. He assisted his mother with farm work until he joined the U.S. Army in 1953. Stogie met Mary Lou Uselman on a river outing in about 1951. They were married on August 16, 1954 in Silverton, Oregon. The newlyweds soon moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina where Stogie trained as a parachutist with the 82nd Airborne. Daughter Terry was born at the Army hospital at Fort Bragg in 1955. Newborn in tow, Stogie and Mary Lou moved back to Oregon. There Stogie began a 34-year career with Northwest Natural Gas Co. The family lived first in Multnomah, then Salem, where sons Kelly, Joe, and Scott were born. The gas company moved the family north to Knappa/Svensen in 1970, where they lived in an updated farmhouse. The family moved to Sherwood in 1972, where Stogie and Mary Lou purchased 5 wooded acres and built the home where they lived for the next 51 years. Stogie enjoyed rural living. He tended a large garden and raised chickens, rabbits, cows, mules, and a goat named Billy. He relished any chance to hunt or fish with friends and family. He rarely shirked the opportunity to fell a tree or spend the day on his tractor or Caterpillar. Stogie was an accomplished welder whose exacting, inventive, and sometimes surprisingly artistic abilities also showed in his woodworking. In his later years, he would spend entire days in his shop, tinkering, repairing, or creating something. He will be remembered for his restored 1929 Ford Model A, the 1937 Ford he transformed into his dream hot rod, the go-kart he built for his grandkids, and the massive two-seater glider he constructed on the property. Stogie and Mary Lou's property was the site of many family reunions, birthday celebrations, and holiday gatherings. Although Stogie could be independent and reserved, he was always grateful for opportunities to be around family and assist and guide them when needed. He enjoyed participating in golf, ping-pong, horseshoes, and long nights of poker. He never missed a chance to reminisce with his siblings or tell a story about his days in the army or some youthful hijinks he recalled. He had a healthy appetite; he particularly enjoyed Mary Lou's dill pickles, berry pie, a cold beer, and strawberry ice cream. Stogie died on the afternoon of Monday, January 15th with his wife of nearly 70 years by his side. He is survived by: wife Mary Lou Erwert; sister Arlene Finlayson; daughter Terry (Craig) Watt; sons Kelly, Joe, and Scott Erwert; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Services will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church in Sherwood, OR on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Rosary will begin at 10:30. Funeral mass will begin at 11:00. Luncheon to follow.

Alexander John Erwert

January 26, 1931 - January 15, 2024