ERNST, Judy Lee 1948-2003

ERNST, JOHNSON, MERRILL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/2/2009 at 12:10:26

Judy Lee Ernst, 55, of 514 15th Ave., Charles City, died early Thursday morning, July 24, 2003, at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 28, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 S. Main St. in Charles City, with the Rev. David Werges officiating. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery, Charles City. Visitation will be held from 3 until 8 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at the Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St. in Charles City, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to the Judy L. Ernst Memorial Fund.

Judy Lee Ernst was born in Charles City on July 17, 1948. She was one of seven children born to Evelyn Jean (Johnson) and Raymond Floyd Merrill. Judy graduated from Charles City High School in 1966. She married Gary Stevens in 1967. Gary and Judy became the parents of two children, Shelly Rae and Michael Dale. They later divorced. On November 21, 1981, she was united in marriage to Arthur 'Art' Allen Ernst at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City.

Art and Judy owned and managed the Mohawk Motel and Cleaners in New Hampton for many years. In 1987, Judy was employed as a home health care aide and provided such care until 2002. She was involved with various activities within the community such as a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary, a former member of the New Hampton Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Charles City Women's Jaycees (currently known as the Women of Today) and a member of the Custom Antique and Rod Association. Judy treasured time spent with her grandchildren, playing bingo, solving crossword puzzles and maintaining friendships. She was a devoted wife and nurturing mother as her family was extremely important to her.

Those grateful for having had the privilege of sharing in her life include her husband, Art of Charles City; her daughter, Shelly Rodemaker and her husband Terry and their children, Cara, Matt, Brittany, Billie-Jean and Aliya; her son, Michael 'Mike' Stevens and his wife, Cathy of Lawler; her mother, Evelyn Merrill of Charles City; a sister, Linda LaBarge of Bellvue; five brothers, David Merrill and his wife Debbie, of Mt. Vernon; James,'Jim' Merrill and his wife, Colleen of Independence, Mo.; Steven 'Steve' Merrill and his wife, Penny of Charles City; Mark Merrill and his wife, Angie of Kansas City, Mo., and Jon Merrill of Charles City and she will be sadly missed by numerous aunts, uncles, cousin and other relatives and friends.

Judy was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Merrill on August 19, 2002, and her grandparents.