Gary J. Ernst

Gary Joseph Ernst, 70, of Asbury, Iowa passed away on November 18, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center following a sudden illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 21st, 2018 at the Church of the Nativity with Msgr. James Miller officiating. Family and friends may gather for visitation after 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at the church until time of mass. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery with full military honors by the Dubuque Marine Corps League. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, Dubuque, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.

Gary was born on February 13, 1948 in Clinton, Iowa the son of Carl and Olivia (Ambrosy) Ernst. In 1967 he graduated from Marquette High School in Bellevue and in 1968 graduated from the Institute of Drafting and Technology in Morrison, IL.

He entered the United States Navy Seabees and served from 1969 to 1970 active duty and served in the Reserves until 1975.

He married Carol Manderscheid on July 25, 1970 at St. Theresa’s Church in La Motte.

After marriage he and Carol bought a farm in Epworth and he began his career at Dubuque John Deere until retirement. 

He served on the Asbury Fire Department Board of Directors, was an active member of Nativity Parish where he served as an usher and eucharist minister. Gary was always ready to help others or volunteer but spending time with his family was his true passion.

He is survived by his wife Carol; two children, Sherry (Richard) Ehrlich, of Dubuque, Brian (Jennifer) Ernst, of Epworth; grandchildren, Zach Willenborg, Ava Swenson, Charles Swenson, Kinze Ernst, Henry Ehrlich, Riley Ernst, and Liv Ehrlich. His mother Olivia Ernst; siblings, Elaine (Bill) VanderMuelen, of Dubuque, Diane (Len) Kotz, of Dubuque, Carla Chumbley, of Bellevue, Dale (Carla) Ernst, of Dubuque, Steve (Gale) Ernst, of Peosta along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Carl and his father and mother-in-law Orville and Marie Manderscheid.

In lieu of flowers a Gary J. Ernst memorial fund has been established.

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