Richard Ernste

Richard M. Ernste, age 70 of Faribault, died peacefully on Sunday, August 29, 2010, at his home after battling cancer and heart disease.    Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 3, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault, with Fr. Kevin Finnegan, pastor, officiating. Interment will be at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault with military honors.    Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Thursday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.    Richard Martin Ernste, the eighth child of ten, was born to John W. and Marie (Bongers) Ernste on June 1, 1940, at his family's farm three miles north of Faribault in Cannon City Township, Rice County, MN. Rich graduated from Bethlehem Academy High School with the class of 1958. He was married to Carol A. Schmitz on October 27, 1962, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Faribault. He ran the family farm with his mother until 1966, when he purchased it. Shortly thereafter he also accepted a job at Northern States Power as a lineman, electrician, and designer. He retired from NSP after 24 years of service. During this time, Rich also served six years in the Minnesota National Guard, retiring in 1968 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He also continued farming part-time until 1990. In 1994 Rich became a realtor in the Faribault area, a position he held until 2008. He was a member of the Council 889 Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, American Legion Post 43, and served many years on the Cannon City Township Board.    Rich enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and riding his John Deere lawn tractor. He also had a great appreciation for nature and the outdoors. For Rich faith, family and friends were more important than anything else in his life. He especially loved being with his grandchildren, rarely missing their school or athletic events. He would often help others in need through the Befrienders program and   other activities in the community.     Rich dedicated his life to his church and to the support of Catholic education at Divine Mercy Catholic School and Bethlehem Academy. He served on numerous committees and volunteered countless hours. Perhaps his greatest enjoyment came from singing in the church choir which he did faithfully for over 50 years.     He is survived by his wife, Carol of Faribault as well as seven children: Ed of Cheyenne, WY; Rick (Laurie) of Elko-New Market; Sue (Tony) Jandro of Faribault; Jim (Lori) of Savage; Laurie (Brian) McCormick of Plymouth; Cathy (Joel) Haugen of Jordan; and Mike of Faribault. He also had 13 grandchildren: Sarah Walgren; Alyssa and Danielle Ernste; Jordan Ernste; Ben, Ellie, and Jack Jandro; Jake and Kailey Ernste; Hudson and Hayley McCormick; and Makayla and Isabel Haugen. In addition surviving siblings include: Marcella "Belle" Bartel of Ronan, MT, Charles (Susan) Ernste of Faribault, John (Muggs) Ernste of Rochester, and Stan (Karen) Ernste of Rochester. Other surviving relatives include brother-in-law, William Meulepas of Faribault, sisters-in-law, Marie Ernste and Dorothy Ernste, both of Faribault, and many other relatives and friends.    He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Meulepas and Rita Van Thomme (and spouse Les), brothers Archie, Adolph, and Alex (and spouse, Betty), and grandson, Cory Dean Ernste.    In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that memorials be directed to Divine Mercy Catholic School, Bethlehem Academy, or Hospice in memory of Rich.