Dean E. Ernst's Obituary
Dean E. Ernst , 95 of Clinton, passed away, Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Alverno after a brief illness.
Funeral Services will be 10:00am, Friday, May 9, 2025 at the First Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery, with military honors being conducted by the Clinton AMVETS Post #28. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00-7:00pm at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory.
Dean Edward Ernst was born on September 19, 1929 in Rochester, Minnesota, the son of Edward and Inez (Gregor) Ernst. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1947. He enlisted in the United States Navy serving in the Korean War as a gunners mate 2nd Class on the USS L.F. Mason from 1951-1955. He married Patricia Faye Rickert on March 27, 1955 in Elgin, Minnesota; she preceded him in death on September 28, 2007.
Dean attended the University of Northern Iowa and received a bachelor’s degree in education and later a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He taught industrial arts at Washington Junior High School for 32 years retiring in 1991; and worked as a union carpenter in the summers.
Dean has been a member of the First Methodist Church for 66 years. There he was an integral part of the Hearts and Hands ministry, putting his carpentry skills to service. He was an avid outdoorsman, spending countless hours hunting. His favorite being rabbit hunting, for which he owned many beagles. He also enjoyed taking many fishing trips to Canada with his sons and close teaching friends where many fond memories were made.
Dean is survived by his three sons: Dan Ernst of Oakridge, Oregon, Joel Ernst of Clinton, Iowa, Jeff (Laura) Ernst of Clinton, Iowa; his daughter: Sheryl Ernst of Clinton; nine grandchildren: Carl, Sativa, Lance (Demi), Luke, Keli (Tanner), Curtis, Kyle (Liza), Brady (Kortney), and MacKenzie (Ryan); three great-granddaughters: Gracelyn, Aracely, and Lennon; and two more on the way.
Memorials can be made to the First Methodist Church.
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