Ernest 'Ernie' Varner

ERNEST `ERNIE' LEROY VARNER Hiawatha Ernest "Ernie" LeRoy Varner, 85, of Hiawatha, passed away Monday, April 16, 2018, at UnityPoint-St. Luke's Hospital. Funeral Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, with the Rev. William Harnish officiating. Burial will follow at Morrison Cemetery, rural Cedar Rapids. Friends may call after noon Monday at the funeral home. A celebration of Ernie's life will be held in June at Ellis Park. Ernest is survived by his former wife, Marjorie (Stanek) Varner Zerba; three children, Allen Varner, Janeva Varner and Angela Varner; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Steven Varner, on April 9, 2003; his parents; 10 sisters; and three brothers. Ernie was born Oct. 16, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, where he was raised. He married Marjorie Stanek on Jan. 30, 1951. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956 during the Korean conflict. Ernie was employed at Weyerhaeuser Co. for 45 years until his retirement. He was a lifetime member of the Toddville American Legion Post 674. In his spare time, he loved to fish. Ernie's family would especially like to thank the nurses from Comfort Care, the Meals on Wheels drivers, Brenda, his housekeeper for many years, and all of the wonderful staff at the Hiawatha Dairy Queen and Scott's Family Restaurant. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Toddville American Legion Post 674. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.