1928
Wesley
2006
Wesley Ernst Jr
October 9, 1928 — March 9, 2006
Wesley Walter Ernst Jr. was born at Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville, Minnesota on October 9, 1928. He was the only child and beloved son of Emma and Wesley W. Ernst Sr.
His early years were spent in Alberta, where he attended first through eighth grade. His family then moved to Morris, where he attended high school. During high school he developed his love of music and played drums for several area dance bands. His mentor was Walter Sarlette, with whom he played for dances at the Eagles Club. He later joined "Ted Long and His Gut Bucket Four" and played for weekly dances at the Ag School. On occasion he was called upon to join the stage band at the county fair when they needed a drummer. His love of jazz and blues endured throughout his life.
He attended two years at Moorhead State Teachers College and then returned to Alberta, where he went into the farming business with his father in 1949. He harvested his first crop in 1950. He married the love of his life, Edna Alver on November 3, 1953. Together they worked the family farm raising crops, cattle, horses and three kids; having a passionate love for all of them and each other. Wes also had a second career working full time as a salesman for the American Breeder's Service from 1969-1980 to help provide for his family during some of farming's leaner years. He retired from farming in 1992 but continued to stay busy further developing his skills in wood working and canoe building. He has enjoyed numerous canoe trips with family members and alone using his own hand crafted wood strip canoes. His final canoe trip in 1991 was with his son-in-law, Lynn on a 130 mile odyssey beyond the last roads in Northern Canada. When such treks became a little to arduous, he continued to enjoy fishing trips and other family vacations to various scenic locations to enjoy nature's great beauty with his children, grandchildren and other friends and loved ones. Wes's best and favorite times were sharing times with his family. Wes also loved books and reading, devouring about 50 books a year. He shared this love with his children and grandchildren. One of his favorite activities was taking the grandkids to buy the books of their choosing. The grandkids have always loved this too and have many good books from grandpa.
Wes died on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at the SCMC Courage Cottage in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 77 years.
He is survived by his wife: Edna Ernst of Alberta; son and family: Douglas Ernst and Bev Benson, Robb (10) and Elizabeth (3) from Plymouth; daughter and family: Valerie and Lynn Lemke, Joshua (14) and Rebecca (11) from Olathe, KS; daughter and family: Nancy and Tim Wilkerson, William (10) and Alexander (8) from Merriam, KS; cousins who are more like siblings, their spouses and their families: Ralph Brenden, Bernice Cournoyer, Lorraine Bishop, Jan Brown and Luella Kenney and dear friends: Cal and Adele Mattheis. He was preceded in death by his parents: Emma and Wesley W. Ernst, Sr; granddaughters: Heidilinn and Rachel and many good friends and loving family.
Pallbearers for the service are: Brian Wehking, Ed Boettcher, David Brown, Howard Nordin, Lynn Farwell and Phil Moll. Cheryl Rempel will serve as organist for the service with Carol Jacobson serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
His early years were spent in Alberta, where he attended first through eighth grade. His family then moved to Morris, where he attended high school. During high school he developed his love of music and played drums for several area dance bands. His mentor was Walter Sarlette, with whom he played for dances at the Eagles Club. He later joined "Ted Long and His Gut Bucket Four" and played for weekly dances at the Ag School. On occasion he was called upon to join the stage band at the county fair when they needed a drummer. His love of jazz and blues endured throughout his life.
He attended two years at Moorhead State Teachers College and then returned to Alberta, where he went into the farming business with his father in 1949. He harvested his first crop in 1950. He married the love of his life, Edna Alver on November 3, 1953. Together they worked the family farm raising crops, cattle, horses and three kids; having a passionate love for all of them and each other. Wes also had a second career working full time as a salesman for the American Breeder's Service from 1969-1980 to help provide for his family during some of farming's leaner years. He retired from farming in 1992 but continued to stay busy further developing his skills in wood working and canoe building. He has enjoyed numerous canoe trips with family members and alone using his own hand crafted wood strip canoes. His final canoe trip in 1991 was with his son-in-law, Lynn on a 130 mile odyssey beyond the last roads in Northern Canada. When such treks became a little to arduous, he continued to enjoy fishing trips and other family vacations to various scenic locations to enjoy nature's great beauty with his children, grandchildren and other friends and loved ones. Wes's best and favorite times were sharing times with his family. Wes also loved books and reading, devouring about 50 books a year. He shared this love with his children and grandchildren. One of his favorite activities was taking the grandkids to buy the books of their choosing. The grandkids have always loved this too and have many good books from grandpa.
Wes died on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at the SCMC Courage Cottage in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 77 years.
He is survived by his wife: Edna Ernst of Alberta; son and family: Douglas Ernst and Bev Benson, Robb (10) and Elizabeth (3) from Plymouth; daughter and family: Valerie and Lynn Lemke, Joshua (14) and Rebecca (11) from Olathe, KS; daughter and family: Nancy and Tim Wilkerson, William (10) and Alexander (8) from Merriam, KS; cousins who are more like siblings, their spouses and their families: Ralph Brenden, Bernice Cournoyer, Lorraine Bishop, Jan Brown and Luella Kenney and dear friends: Cal and Adele Mattheis. He was preceded in death by his parents: Emma and Wesley W. Ernst, Sr; granddaughters: Heidilinn and Rachel and many good friends and loving family.
Pallbearers for the service are: Brian Wehking, Ed Boettcher, David Brown, Howard Nordin, Lynn Farwell and Phil Moll. Cheryl Rempel will serve as organist for the service with Carol Jacobson serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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