Ernest Dean Look

Ernest Dean Look, age 88, of Rolla, passed away very peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St Louis, Mo. Ernie was born to the late Albert Victor Look and Myrtle Caroline Jernberg Look-Lewis on May 18, 1935, in Colville, Wa. He attended a one-room country school, in Onion Creek, Wa, until his father passed, at which time he left school to help on the family farm. He joined the Army in Nov. 29, 1957 and served until his Honorable Discharge on Oct. 31, 1963, six years later. Ernie married Joyce Marie Olmstead while home on Leave on April 25, 1959 and to this union three children were born; Tamie, Ron and Amanda. In 1974, Ernie and Joyce moved their family to Rolla, Missouri. Ernie worked for the government as a Mining Inspector with MSHA (Mine Safety Health Administration) in Rolla, for 26 years, until he retired in Jan. 2000. Ernie loved and served the Lord and attended the St. James Advent Hope Church. He was very proud and loved all of his grandkids and great grandkids so much. Another joy was singing and playing the guitar, harmonica and piano. He loved listening to the old-time country music and his favorite was Kitty Wells. For many years he played music for the residents of the Missouri Veterans Home in St James, Mo every week.
Ernie is most remembered by his smile, sense of humor and love of music. He kept a houseboat at the Lake of the Ozarks for many years, entertaining friends and family. He also had a love for food and made it a ritual to eat dinner as much as he could at Sirloin Stockade, where he made many friends.
He was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Joyce Marie Olmstead Look, his parents Albert Victor Look and Myrtle Caroline Jernberg Look-Lewis, and his stepfather, Herbert (Bert) Lewis. Two brothers, Ivan Look and Oliver (Ollie) Look and three sisters, Juliete Douglas, Gladine Anderson and Phyllis Pike. Also, great-grandchild, Bennett Harrison Hance.
Those who are left to celebrate his life and to continue his legacy are his three children, Tamie DeAnne Hance and husband,Tim of, Rolla, MO, Ronald Dean Look and friend Laura Klaus of, Rolla, MO, and Amanda LeAnne Rasco (Mandy) and husband Bryan, of Littleton, CO; sister, Cena Lucille Lotze of, Colville, WA: grandchildren, Tanner Hance (Hannah), Tessa Hance, Taylor Hance, Tucker Hance, Torie Hance, (Ethan), Jered Norton, Alex Look (Domenic), Nikki Look (Bobby), Natalie Look (Kobe), Zach Look, and Leah Rasco (Robert); great-grandchildren, Karter Keebey, Heidi Norton, Ava, Ashton DiChiro, Emory, Greyson Wands, Marlee Look, and Hadley Mae Hance; one daughter-in-law Heather Look of St James, Mo. and longtime family friends Randy and Linda Green of St. James, Mo.
A graveside service with Military Honors will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, April 19 at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. George Hunter, special friend, will be the Officiate. James and Gahr Funeral Home of Rolla has been entrusted with making arrangements for the Look family where flowers may be sent.
The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support in many heart-felt forms from family and friends. After the service, friends and family are invited to join us for dinner as we continue celebrating Ernie at his favorite place, Sirloin Stockade, Rolla, Mo.
Directions to the Oak Ridge Cemetery from Rolla: Follow I-44 East and Historic US 66 East to Piazza Road in St. James. Take County Road KK to State Hwy. KK in Knobview.