Stanley Ernste

Stanley A. Ernste, age 71 of Rochester, MN and formerly of Faribault, died suddenly Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive in Faribault. Interment will be held at the St. Lawrence Cemetery, Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault on Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to services.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to Bethlehem Academy High School in memory of Stan.

Stan was born on the family farm house in Cannon City Township on June 29, 1943, near Faribault, MN. He attended elementary school at St. Lawrence School in Faribault, and high school at Bethlehem Academy, graduating with the class of 1961. In 1966, he enrolled at Mankato State College, graduating three years and 2 months later with a major in Accounting and Mathematics. Next, he graduated from Mankato State University with an MBA in 1977, while working for IBM in Rochester.

In 1964, Stan met Karen Naseth, and they were married on August 24, 1968 at St. Lawrence Church in Faribault. Stan and Karen raised four children, all Lourdes High School graduates. Stan and Karen were active in all their children's activities including sports, band, and other school activities.

Stan was PTA president at St. Pius X School in the 1970s, and was on the parish council from 1983-1985, when he was elected president. He gave a great deal of his time (16 years) to managing the charitable fundraising programs at Lourdes and St. Pius X during the 80s and 90s as well as serving as a lector for many years. Stan and the children were active in the Indian Guide program for 14 straight years, serving as "chief" several times. He served on the Lourdes Foundation Board for seven years.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; three sons, Mark (Jenn) Ernste of Brandon, SD, John (Stacey) Ernste of Apple Valley, MN, and Scott (Laura) Ernste of Rochester; a daughter, Cheryl (Bill) Serb of Waukesha, WI; 12 grandchildren; and 2 brothers, Charles (Susan) of Faribault, and John (Muggs) of Alma, WI, and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie (Bongers) Ernste, four brothers, Archie, Adolph, Alex, Richard and three sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Meulepas, Rita VanThomme, and Marcella "Belle" Bartel.