David Ernst

COLUMBUS - David L. Ernst, 61, of Columbus, died Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at the Columbus Community Hospital following a hard fought battle with brain cancer.

The funeral service will be 11 a.m. with a 10:45 a.m. family prayer service Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at the Federated Church in Columbus with the Rev. Dr. Jim Wooten officiating. Private family interment will be in the Roselawn Memorial Cemetery in Columbus.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. today at the Gass Haney Funeral Home.

David Ernst was born Feb. 2, 1947, in Columbus, to Lester and Clara (Burmood) Ernst. Dave grew up in Columbus and graduated from Columbus High School in 1965. Dave attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and graduated with a Zoology degree in 1970. On Aug. 16, 1970, Dave married Meredith Hester in Lincoln. They moved to Greeley, Colo., where Dave worked at Weld County Garage, before returning to Columbus in 1972. Dave then went to work with his father and brother Jim at Ernst Auto and continued to work there as the dealership grew.

Dave was a very active member of the Columbus community. He served as president on several boards: The Columbus Rotary Club, Columbus Family YMCA Board of Directors, the Nebraska Nature Conservancy, Nebraska New Car and Truck Dealers Association, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way Board and Fund Drive, Federated Church Council, the Formal Dancing Club, and the Columbus Public School Board and in 1997, was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. Dave was also active on the Nebraska Wildlife Crime Stoppers Board, social director of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, and served on the First National Bank and Montessori Preschool Boards. Dave was a member of the Elks Country Club, Nebraska Diplomats, the Wheel Club at the University of Nebraska, and an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy. Dave was also a Commodore Skipper, an Archway Award Winner in 1992, on the Columbus Economic Council, the Columbus Strategic Planning Committee, a 16 year Sponsor Member of Ducks Unlimited, and a Co-Chair for Taste of Columbus. In 2005, Dave received the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award, and was King Ferdinand XXII in Columbus for his outstanding community service.

Dave was an avid hunter, outdoorsman, and conservationist. He enjoyed playing golf, attending Nebraska football and basketball games, concerts, and traveling the world with Mimi.

Dave is survived by his wife, Mimi Ernst of Columbus; daughter, Allison (Billy) Van Heusen of Denver; son, Matthew (friend Amie Mackin) of Billings, Mont.; brother, Jim (Sandy) Ernst of Columbus, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Clara Ernst.

Memorials may be directed to Nebraska Nature Conservancy or the Columbus Public Schools Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to http://www.gasshaney.com">www.gasshaney.com.