D.D. "Dutch" Ernst

D.D. “Dutch” Ernst, 97, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Friday, August 13, 2010, at Tri-County Hospital in Lexington. Dutch was born September 19, 1912, at Johnson, Nebraska to Charles and Anna (Hauberg) Ernst. Dutch lived his youth in Johnson, Graf, Gilead and the last two years of high school in Fairbury, Nebraska, graduating with the class of 1931. He then went on to further his education at Lincoln School of Commerce, graduating in 1933, earned his B.S. from the University of Nebraska, class of 1937. Dutch served his Country during WWII in the United States Army and was honorably discharged on November 25, 1942. He was united in marriage to Corrinne Smith on February 9, 1937, three children were born to this union; Bob, Jim and Mary. Dutch worked for four years in Omaha, Nebraska; two at Burroughs Adding Machine Company and two at the University of Omaha (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha). He moved his family to Lexington in 1941. Dutch worked as a CPA for many years, retiring in 1987. Always an advocate for his community; Dutch was active in the Boy Scouts, both locally and district wide, a charter member of the Lexington Junior Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the American Legion Bldg. Corp. (now known as the Vet’s Club), past commander of the American Legion, Co-founder of Home Federal Savings and Loan, where he served as director and president, the Lexington Board of Education and various other boards and committees. Dutch was also very active in the First United Methodist Church. Following Dutch’s retirement in 1987, he served the Small Business Administration as a SCORE Counselor, he was Chairman of the Endowment Committee for Central Community College, served two terms on the Lexington City Council and was founder, director and president of Park Avenue Estates. Dutch was a life member of the American Legion, Dawson County Historical Society, University of Nebraska Alumni and Admiral in the United States Navy. Survivors include two sons: Bob (Diane) Ernst of Estes Park, Colorado Jim (Cindy) Ernst of Silverthorne, Colorado One daughter: Mary Lou Ernst of Holdrege, Nebraska Five grandchildren: Bruce (Jill) Ernst of Hawaii; David Ernst of Seattle, Washington; Katrina Ernst of Silverthorne, Colorado; Todd (Stacey) Ernst of San Antonio, Texas; Jodie (Jeremy) Deeney of Vancouver, Washington. Four great-grandchildren: Jacob & Josh Ernst of San Antonio, Texas; Adam & Aiden Deeney of Vancouver, Washington. Dutch was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Corrinne and sister, Helen. Funeral Service will be Tuesday, August 17, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Chapel in Lexington, Nebraska with Reverend John Craig officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service. Memorials are suggested to the Mosaic Foundation – 4980 S. 118th Street – Omaha, Nebraska 68137. Burial will be private for family only at Greenwood Cemetery at Lexington. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Please direct online condolences to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.