ERNST, Donald E. 1925-2013

ERNST, BERGMANN, SPRINGER, BENZ, SHARP, ANDERSON, MATT

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 7/17/2013 at 23:13:32

[Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, Wednesday, May 29, 2013]

CEDAR FALLS — Donald E. Ernst, 87, of Cedar Falls, died Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Western Home Communities, Elizabeth E. Martin Center, after a long illness.

He was born July 16, 1925, near Cresco, son of Charles and Helena Bergmann Ernst. He married Elaine Springer on May 1, 1948, in Cresco.

Mr. Ernst attended country school. and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He had a milk route and hauled for Rochester Dairy, drove a school bus and was employed at Rath Packing, from where he retired after 33 years of service.

He was a member of the Highland Associates for more than 30 years, was a grantor for 20 years with Make A Wish Foundation and a 15-year member with the Gilbertville American Legion.

Survived by his wife; four sons: Alan (Brenda), Mike (Angie) and Thomas (Susan Wirtjes), all of Waterloo, and Dale (Patty) of Lenexa, Kan.; three daughters, Cathy Ernst Benz of Evansdale, Debbie Ernst of Waterloo and Mary (Tom) Sharp of Elk Run Heights; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a brother, Wallace (Darlene) of New Hampton; and two sisters, Shirley Matt of Cresco and Jeanette (Norman) Anderson of Waterloo.

Preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Arnold, Ervin, Hubert, Wayne and a brother in infancy; and a sister in infancy.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Cedar Falls, with burial in Garden of Memories Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by Gilbertville American Legion Post 714 at 1 p.m. at Garden of Memories Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories, an Overton Family Service, Waterloo, with a 4 p.m. rosary and a 7 p.m. vigil service

Memorials: may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or Make A Wish Foundation.

Don’s family wishes to thank the staff at Western Home Communities, Elizabeth E. Martin Health Center and Cedar Valley Hospice for their excellent care and compassion they provided to Don and his family during this difficult time.

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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