Bertha “Bert” M. Ernst, 91, of Shawano, formerly of the town of Union, Waupaca County, passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon, June 17, 2015, at the Shawano Medical Center.
Bertha was born March 12, 1924 in Appleton. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Ester (Hedtke) Barkholtz, and the eldest of their nine children. She was a second mother to her younger siblings and loved and cherished each and every one of them. As a young girl, Bert came to Marion to be a housekeeper for Lester and Erma Bork and enjoyed roller skating and attending dances. She then moved to West Bend, where she worked in laundry before returning to Marion and various housekeeping positions. Bert married Richard “Dick” Ernst on May 15, 1943, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Symco. The couple then farmed the family farm in the town of Union for many years. During this time, Bert held various factory positions and was the cleaning lady at Midwest Sales until her retirement. Dick preceded his wife in death on Dec. 10, 1992. Bert later moved to Shawano, where she has resided since. She loved flowers, fishing, cooking and especially baking. In later years, she enjoyed playing cards, but crocheting was her real passion, making several baby afghans for family and friends. She also enjoyed watching game shows and her beloved Green Bay Packers. Bert was a faithful member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Symco. She had a generous heart and loved her family.
Survivors include her children, Sandra (James) Winters, Shawano, and William (Mabel) Ernst, Eagle River; grandchildren, Kraig Schwan, Big Falls, Kurt (Crystal) Schwan, Marion, Travis (Danielle) Ernst, Butler, Thomas (Kelly) Ernst, Toms River, New Jersey, Troy Ernst, Eagle River, and Billie Jo Ernst, Conover; great-grandchildren Trent and Elli Ernst; step-grandchildren, Jamie Winters, Gillett, Jessica Winters, Shawano, and Katie (Joe) Jeske, Shawano; step-great-grandchildren, Zachary Winters, Ellensburg, Washington, Octavia Munson, Shawano, Taylar and Kallie Jeske, Shawano, and Garret and Gracie Poole, Marion; brother, Clinton (Diane) Vaughan, Spencer; sisters, Beverly Mykel, Waupaca, Geraldine Detert, Marion, and Harriett (William) Klemm, Manawa; brother-in-law, Robert McKay (Jean Plaufcan), Shawano; sister-in-law, Sandra Vaughan, Waupaca; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard “Dick”; brothers, Clifford Vaughan and Francis Vaughan; sisters, Elaine Fischer and Lois McKay; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Detert and Richard Mykel; and a special friend, Leonard Pawelczyk.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2015, at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Symco with Rev. Jeffrey Smiles officiating. Interment will follow at Little Creek Cemetery in the township of Little Wolf, Waupaca County.
Friends may call at the church on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting her family with the arrangements. www.eberhardtstevenson.com.
Bertha’s family would like to thank Jean Plaufcan for all her companionship and care for Mom throughout the years. A special thank you to the staff at Kindred Hearts for their care and concern, as well as the staff at Shawano Medical Center and ThedaCare at Home Hospice.
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