Ernst, Dean 'Ernie'

Dean “Ernie” Ernst, 65, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a long illness. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at Christ Church Presbyterian by the Rev. Ron Lewis. Inurnment: private. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife, Judy; a daughter, Kristine (Mike) Stensland, and their children, Jared, Connor, Samantha and Sarah, of Rochester, Minn.; a son, Mike (Cindy) Ernst, and their children, Morgan, Emma and Mackenzie, of Golden Valley, Minn.; a sister, Margaret Kacena of Cedar Rapids; a brother, Allen (June) Ernst of Center Point; and several nieces and nephews.

 His parents preceded him in death.

 Dean was born July 12, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of George and Therese Kollenkark Ernst. He married Judy Scott on Sept. 16, 1967, in Newhall. Dean retired from Linn County in 2005 after 34 years of service. Dean served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. What was most important to Dean was spending time with his family and friends. He was always helping others, especially at his church, and by serving on the board of the Linn Community Food Bank. He enjoyed golf and watching his kids, grandkids and the Hawkeyes in various sports. Dean lived life to the fullest and never passed up the opportunity to eat desserts, especially ice cream.

Please leave a message for the family on the Web page under obituaries.

 Memorials may be made to Hospice of Mercy, Caring Bridge or Linn Community Food Bank.