Lois Kathleen Ernst

Published June 20, 2020 at 9:14 AM

Lois Kathleen Ernst, 84, of Hermantown, passed away peacefully in the presence of her children on March 27, 2020.

Lois was born on March 8, 1936 in Duluth, MN to Harold and Lucille Ranthum. She graduated from Denfeld High School and attended DBU for secretarial studies. On August 27, 1955 she married Gordon Ernst and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage.

Lois was a loving, kind person who devoted her life to her family and friends. She was the Gazette of the family celebrations making sure all were aware of the when and where; graduations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and much more. Somehow in all the work and daily chaos of raising six children, Lois found time to be an amazing mother. She came to our rescue when we needed it and taught us how to be gentle and kind. Her home was filled with pictures and trinkets and ALL the things that made her Lois. She welcomed everyone into her home, shared her memories, her heart and her warmth. If you visited her home, there is no doubt you saw her entire life in all that she had and all that she did. She loved loving!

Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; parents, Harold and Lucille; brother, Dale Ranthum; and sister, JoAnn Reisdorf.

Lois is survived by her children, Gordon (Michael Lynch) Ernst, Gail Ernst, Gerald (Theresa) Ernst, Rory (Joan) Ernst, Tammy (Dale) Kitchenmaster, and Todd (Andrea Carrothers) Ernst; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Karon Engman; brother-in-law, Leonard Ernst, Sr.; sister-in-law, Janice (Rodney) Pederson; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family is sincerely grateful and would like to extend a special thank you to the health care professionals of St. Luke’s Hospital 4 West, 6 West, and Hospice for their compassionate care of Lois during these very difficult and challenging times; a special thank you to her longtime family physician, Dr. Nicole Schaefer, for her devotion and care of Lois over the years.

Open-house style Visitation will be held from 12pm to 1pm on Saturday, June 27th at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy.

Please share online condolences and photos at SunriseFuneralHomeandCemetery.com