Obituary of Louis Ernst

Louis Ernst 99, of 3265 Wapsie Ave NE, Iowa City died Friday, April 4, 2008 at his residence surrounded by his loving family following a sudden illness. Funeral Services will be held 10:30am Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City with the Reverend Mark Pries officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8pm Tuesday at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Johnson County Veterans Trail, Iowa City Hospice, or a memorial of choice. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Louis was born March 8th 1909 in Johnson County Iowa to Jerome and Anna (Villhour) Ernst. He had three brothers Carl (Alice) Ernst, Myron (Erma) Ernst, and Warren (Mildred) Ernst. On April 4, 1942 he married Ila Marie Brown of Iowa City. He was a lifetime farmer except for his service in the Pacific in World War II with the First Cavalry Division whose emblem has been on his barn to this day. After returning to his family farm he spent many years raising cattle and family. After the war Louis had the good fortune to be at the top of John Deere’s list to purchase the first string tied baler to come to Johnson County and with it he spent many miles and hours baling hay for Johnson County farmers. Louis enjoyed attending Army reunions with his family. Another pleasure shared with family for many years was participating in parades in his Model T truck in communities around Iowa City. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, West Branch American Legion, Morse Community Club, and in 2001 his name was added to the Veteran Trail at East Overlook. His family includes wife Ila of Iowa City; daughters Catherine Arlene West of Iowa City, Virginia Ann Andrews (Norman) of Raleigh, NC, Margaret Louise Klink (Rev. Charles) of Bettendorf; son Ronald Alan Ernst (Mary Edgerton) of Charleston SC; foreign exchange student, Juan Salgado of Santiago, Chile; seven grandchildren Josh (Kristie Grady) Andrews of Angier, NC, Cara Ernst of Czech Republic, Cynthia West of North Liberty, Curtis West of Hopkins, MN, Kiersten Klink of Park Ridge, IA, Stephanie West of Iowa City, Ian Klink of Savannah, GA; great granddaughter Aubree Klink; sister-in-laws Mildred Ernst of West Branch, Vivian Brown of Iowa City; and many nieces and nephews. Louis was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Carl (Alice), Myron (Erma) and Warren Ernst. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Louis’ family and services.