Dr. John Edward Ernst

Dr. John Edward Ernst, 44, passed away June 13, of complications from Neuroendocrine Cancer. John was born in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin on January 19, 1978, to Jim & Kathy (Ketelsen) Ernst. John grew up in Monona, IA and attended MFL MarMac. He graduated from Coe College, the alma mater of his dad, uncle, and sister, with a BA in Elementary Education. While in Cedar Rapids, John’s cousins fondly remember his wonderment at living in the “big city� of 150,000 people. While teaching in Desoto, IA, John met Heidi Ann Hilleman at an Iowa State football game. John and Heidi loved and supported each other for nearly two decades, marrying on July 31, 2004 in Kansas City. John and Heidi welcomed a son Joseph Michael in 2007, and a daughter Carlie Elizabeth in 2009. Family was of utmost importance to John, and he generously considered many of those around him, whether by birth, marriage, work, or neighborhood, as family. Education was John’s vocation and passion. He earned a MA and a PhD from Baker University, where he was later recognized as a Wall of Honor Inductee. John held multiple roles in education over 15 years, most recently the principal of Rolling Ridge Elementary in Olathe. In 2016, John earned the National Distinguished Principal of the Year award, and was named to the Leadership Olathe Class of 2017. John loved his school family. He greeted kids each day as they entered and left the school, and knew all 400 of their names within the first week. He spent lunchtimes in the cafeteria and scraped windshields for staff in the winter. John’s commitment to “service over self� was visible throughout John’s personal and professional life. Even as he battled cancer and the exhausting treatments, he continued to serve those around him. John was never happier than when he was boating and water skiing with family and friends. He looked forward to snow skiing in Copper Mountain and watching his kids progress each year. He passionately loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and rode the emotional rollercoaster well-known to true Hawkeye fans. Above all, John adored his children Joe and Carlie. He spent virtually all of his free time coaching, assisting, or watching their teams. He took them boating, skiing, hunting, and fishing and never passed up an opportunity to tell stories of their adventures. Joe and Carlie were his proudest accomplishment. John’s dedication to a positive attitude regardless of what life threw at him by “Never Saying Quit� and being “ErnstStrong� motivated everyone who learned his story. The world is a better place because John Ernst was a part of it for 44 short years. John is survived by Heidi, Joseph and Carlie, of Olathe; Jim and Kathy Ernst of Gardner, KS; sister Amy Muessel (Dan) and their children Alexandra and Luke of Omaha, NE; adored aunts and uncles (Kay, Vicki, Cal and Barrie); beloved cousins (Karla, Heather, Bryce, Emily, Amanda, Ashley and Blair); the Kettlesen family, the Hilleman family; and a community who loved him. John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ardell & Marcella Ernst and John & Marjorie Ketelsen; his uncle Jack Ketelsen; and his cousin Jill Davis. Celebration of Life: 6:30 p.m. June 21 at Olathe West High School. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. June 22 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lenexa, KS. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: ErnstStrong Scholarship Fund, olathepublicschoolsfoundation.org/content/donate-now.