Obituary for Pat L. Ernest Sr.
Patrick L. Ernest Sr, age 92, of Dalton, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in Bridgeport, NE. A Wake Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, May 30, 2022 with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, both at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dalton, NE with Father Tim Stoner and Father Bryan Ernest officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Dalton with military honors. Services will be recorded and available on our website for viewing.
Memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dalton, NE, Sons of the American Legion or Dalton Fire and Rescue.
You may view Pat’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Pat’s care and funeral arrangements.
Patrick Leroy Ernest Sr. was born in, Dalton, NE, on November 4, 1929, to Otto and Mary (Filbin) Ernest. He was the sixth of eight children. Pat attended District 20 country school for grades 1-8, and continued his high school education at Dalton High School where he graduated in 1948.
Pat enlisted into the United States Army on February 7, 1951, and attended basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After basic training, he attended AIT at Fort Knox to become a Culinary Specialist. Pat was assigned to the 27th Regimental Combat Team attached to the 25th Infantry Division, and on January 10, 1952, Pat was sent to serve in the Korean War. He served in the conflict from January to December 1952. Upon returning to the U.S., he was assigned to Fort Carson, CO and then Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD where he served as First Chef. Pat was recognized for his service by earning the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star Device, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Service Medal, UN Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. On February 6, 1954, Sergeant (E-5) Patrick Leroy Ernest was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.
After returning back to Dalton, NE, Pat joined his father and brothers farming. Pat met his wife Marilyn of 62 years on December 31, 1956 at a New Year’s Eve Dance in Gurley, NE. The couple was later married on May 28, 1960 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sidney, NE. They had five children, daughters Deanna Butcher and Angie Hilbert, and sons Patrick Jr. Ernest, Mark Ernest, Shawn Ernest.
Pat’s love and joy in life were farming and his family; especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a remarkable story teller, and had an unbelievable memory for details into his later years. Pat will always be remembered for the twinkle in his eye right before he winked, his good-natured chuckle, and his special request of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to always give him a peck on the check as they said their goodbyes. He would always get the last word in with saying “I love you the most.”
Pat is survived by his wife Marilyn Ernest of Dalton, NE, sister Mary Lou Richards of Spokane, WA, children, son-in-law Mark (Sandy) Butcher of Scottsbluff, NE, son Patrick Jr. (DeAnn) Ernest of Dalton, NE, son Mark (Jennifer) Ernest of Dalton, NE, and daughter Angela (Brian) Hilbert of Scottsbluff, NE, 10 grandchildren, Marie (Chris) McEntyre of San Antonio, TX, CW3 James (Bridget) Butcher of Scottsbluff, NE, Danielle (Thomas) Jacobson of Bridgeport, NE, Rebecca Ernest of Potter, NE, Rachael (Sam) Behrends of Sidney, NE, Kenny Ernest of Kearney, NE, AdreAnna Ernest of Omaha, NE, Sarah (Todd) Olsen of Potter, NE, John (fiancé Chelby) Dvorak of Allen, NE, Cpl Seth (fiancé Abby) Dvorak of MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, and 6 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Mary Ernest, brothers Richard Ernest, Robert Ernest, Dominic Ernest, Raymond Ernest and sisters Cecelia Anderson and Dorothy Fehringer, daughter Deanna Butcher, son Shawn Ernest, grandson Paul Ernest.
Memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dalton, NE, Sons of the American Legion or Dalton Fire and Rescue.
You may view Pat’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Pat’s care and funeral arrangements.
Patrick Leroy Ernest Sr. was born in, Dalton, NE, on November 4, 1929, to Otto and Mary (Filbin) Ernest. He was the sixth of eight children. Pat attended District 20 country school for grades 1-8, and continued his high school education at Dalton High School where he graduated in 1948.
Pat enlisted into the United States Army on February 7, 1951, and attended basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After basic training, he attended AIT at Fort Knox to become a Culinary Specialist. Pat was assigned to the 27th Regimental Combat Team attached to the 25th Infantry Division, and on January 10, 1952, Pat was sent to serve in the Korean War. He served in the conflict from January to December 1952. Upon returning to the U.S., he was assigned to Fort Carson, CO and then Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD where he served as First Chef. Pat was recognized for his service by earning the Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star Device, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Service Medal, UN Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. On February 6, 1954, Sergeant (E-5) Patrick Leroy Ernest was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.
After returning back to Dalton, NE, Pat joined his father and brothers farming. Pat met his wife Marilyn of 62 years on December 31, 1956 at a New Year’s Eve Dance in Gurley, NE. The couple was later married on May 28, 1960 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sidney, NE. They had five children, daughters Deanna Butcher and Angie Hilbert, and sons Patrick Jr. Ernest, Mark Ernest, Shawn Ernest.
Pat’s love and joy in life were farming and his family; especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a remarkable story teller, and had an unbelievable memory for details into his later years. Pat will always be remembered for the twinkle in his eye right before he winked, his good-natured chuckle, and his special request of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to always give him a peck on the check as they said their goodbyes. He would always get the last word in with saying “I love you the most.”
Pat is survived by his wife Marilyn Ernest of Dalton, NE, sister Mary Lou Richards of Spokane, WA, children, son-in-law Mark (Sandy) Butcher of Scottsbluff, NE, son Patrick Jr. (DeAnn) Ernest of Dalton, NE, son Mark (Jennifer) Ernest of Dalton, NE, and daughter Angela (Brian) Hilbert of Scottsbluff, NE, 10 grandchildren, Marie (Chris) McEntyre of San Antonio, TX, CW3 James (Bridget) Butcher of Scottsbluff, NE, Danielle (Thomas) Jacobson of Bridgeport, NE, Rebecca Ernest of Potter, NE, Rachael (Sam) Behrends of Sidney, NE, Kenny Ernest of Kearney, NE, AdreAnna Ernest of Omaha, NE, Sarah (Todd) Olsen of Potter, NE, John (fiancé Chelby) Dvorak of Allen, NE, Cpl Seth (fiancé Abby) Dvorak of MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, and 6 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Mary Ernest, brothers Richard Ernest, Robert Ernest, Dominic Ernest, Raymond Ernest and sisters Cecelia Anderson and Dorothy Fehringer, daughter Deanna Butcher, son Shawn Ernest, grandson Paul Ernest.