Funeral services for Charles “Chuck” Ernst, age 40 of Silver Lake were held Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 2:00 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. Officiating was Rev. Eric Nelson. Congregational hymns were “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Serving as casket bearers were Sheldon Ehrke, Bruce Kletscher, Pat O’Reilley, Pat Feltmann, Tim Grenke, Kent Dibb, Vern Flemming and Dan Niederkorn. Honorary casket bearer was Blake Ernst. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Charles “Chuck” David Ernst was born May 27, 1967 at the Hutchinson Community Hospital the son of Terry and Phyllis (Braun) Ernst. He was baptized on June 18, 1967 at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson and later confirmed on April 12, 1981 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie. Chuck attended Lester Prairie Public School kindergarten until graduating with the class of 1985. During high school, he had various jobs which included Roger’s Jack and Jill, Ralph’s Oil and Lester Prairie Sportsman’s Club. Upon graduation Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the time that he served his country he was stationed at the Great Lake’s Naval Station, Naval Base in Millington, Tennessee and on the U.S.S. Ranger Aircraft Carrier based in San Diego, CA. After his honorary discharge from the Navy in 1989, he returned to Lester Prairie and became employed at Jerry’s Transmission and later Data Card Corp. in Eden Prairie. Chuck had an interest in aviation which led him to the Thief River Falls Technical College earning a degree as an aviation mechanic. On June 27, 1992 Chuck was married to Daphne M. Rhodes at Assumption Catholic Church in Richfield, MN. The couple moved to Spencer, IA where he was employed as an aviation mechanic for United Express. A short time later he accepted employment at Northwest Airlines in Mpls where he worked until there was a large reduction in the work force. Chuck then sought employment at Big Don’s Carthedral in Lester Prairie prior to his present position at Polluck Industries.
Chuck was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the American Legion of Lester Prairie, the Lester Prairie Sportsman’s Club and the Lester Prairie Fire Department. Chuck had many interests which included hunting, fishing, water skiing, boating, flying having a private pilot license and working on his hobby farm.
On Friday, February 8, 2008 Chuck entered his eternal rest at his home at the age of 40 years, 8 months and 11 days. He is preceded in death by grandparents Everett & Viola Ernst and Alfred & Cora Braun; uncles Donald Braun, Murl Kletscher; and father-in-law Bruce Rhodes.
Chuck is survived by his wife Daphne; parents Terry & Phyllis Ernst; his brother Brad Ernst (wife: Christine); nephew Blake Ernst; niece Alexandra Ernst; mother-in-law Betty Rhodes, sister-in-law Diana Eckstrom (husband: Joel) and sons; brothers-in-law Douglas Rhodes (wife: Mary) and girls, Damian Rhodes (wife: Amanda) and daughter as well as aunts, uncles, cousins other relatives and many friends.
Arrangements were with the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel in Lester Prairie. For an online guestbook, please visit www.mcbridefuneralchapels.com
