Carolyn Ernst-Reafsnider

VOLRATH, REIMERS, ERNST, REAFSNIDER, REEG, BYLUND, PITTMAN, HERMAN, BARRY, YEAGER, STOECKEN, MYERS, PECK, ARMSTRONG, GRUENHAGEN

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/29/2011 at 10:47:23

Hachmann Funeral Home obituary
Carolyn Ernst-Reafsnider
(February 14, 1937 - July 15, 2009)

Carolyn Ernst-Reafsnider, 72 of Bellevue, was welcomed into the loving embrace of God's heavenly kingdom on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 after a twelve year courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 20 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Bellevue. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Kingery~Lemke Funeral Home and again Monday at the funeral home from 9:30 until procession to church. There will be a scripture service at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home.

Carolyn was born on February 14, 1937 in Davenport, daughter of George and Margaret "Midge" (Reimers) Volrath. She married Vern Ernst Jr. on August 22, 1959, he passed away on February 26, 1984, she later married Paul Reafsnider on January 18, 1991.

She was employed with the Bellevue State Bank for many years. She was a friend of the Bellevue Public Library. She enjoyed reading, gardening, walking, bowling, quilting, and genealogy. During Carolyn's retirement she was an independent Mary Kay Beauty consultant. This was more than just a business to Carolyn. It allowed her to utilize her giving and caring philosophies and stay connected to her family, friends, and the community during her illness. She took a great interest in supporting the Mary Kay Ash Foundation, a charitable foundation dedicated to ending women's cancers and domestic abuse. One of the ways she would donate to the foundation was by purchasing "Silver Wings" lapel pins and handing them out to those people who where special to her.

Surviving is her husband, Paul, of Bellevue; two son, Brian (Ellen) Ernst, of Dubuque, and Ted (Kim) Ernst, of Waddell, Arizona; three daughters, Denise (Ron) Reeg, of Bellevue, Beth (Tom) Bylund, Eldridge and Theresa (Paul) Pittman, of Overland Park, Kansas; two step daughters Judy (Brad) Herman, of Waukon, and Nancy (Gary) Barry, of Marion; 16 grandchildren, Eleisha and Bryce Reeg, Tyler Bylund, Jason and Jeremy Yeager, Stephanie and Kristina Ernst, Deanndra Stoecken, Angela, Kristyna and Justyn Herman, Chris and Kyle Barry, Andrew and Mark Myers and Brooke Peck; two great grandchildren Naida and Hank Peck; her father George E. (Lois) Volrath, of Rock Island; two brothers, George "Butch" (Marge) Volrath, and Mark (Nancy) Volrath; two sisters, Peggy (David) Armstrong and Mary (Larry) Gruenhagen.

She is preceded in death by her first husband; mother; two grandchildren, Shawn Ernst and Deana Stoecken, also a step daughter Bonnie Myers.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kukla and his staff, Bellevue Medical Associates Clinic, and Hospice of Jackson County for all of their care and compassion shown to Carolyn. Also a special thanks to the Bellevue Ambulance Service.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Hospice of Jackson County in Carolyn's Name.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kingeryfuneralhome.com.