Ernie Gath

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 2:00pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. Burial will be at Memory Gardens in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be on Monday, October 27th after 3:00pm with the family present from 5:00-7:00pm at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Ernest Daniel Gath, the son of Anna (Koster) and Ernest F. Gath, was born March 29, 1932 at his home in Round Lake, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed Lutheran. Ernie went to school in Round Lake, Montgomery and graduated from Lake Park High School. Ernie was enlisted into the United States Air Force in 1952. He served during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Colorado, Japan and Louisiana. He was honorably discharged in 1955. On September 23, 1954, Ernie was united in marriage to Jane Elizabeth Hazard in Spirit Lake. Ernie lived in the surrounding area and farmed all of his life up to the day he was called Home. He took great pride in his farming. He enjoyed bowling, going to the casino and also working on circle word books. He kept busy going to his grandkids school events. Being with family was his biggest joy and he would have a joke for you every time. He always enjoyed having coffee with his friends and also spending the winters in Arizona. Ernie was a member of the VFW Post 4514 and was active in his church, which was very important to him. He and his son farmed together for many years and recently his grandson, Tyson, had joined the farming operation. Ernie suffered a major stroke at his farm doing what he loved the most helping with the harvest on Friday, October 24, 2014. He passed away at the Sioux Falls Hospital on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at eighty-two years of age. He is survived by his son, Dan (Marilyn); three grandchildren, Bryanna (Travis) Nissen, Tyson (fiancé, Roshay Reimers) and Mariah; four stepchildren, Kim Christensen, Dawn White, Pam Ludwig and Kreg Enderson. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jane; his wife, Shirley; infant daughter, Patricia Jo; brother, Edward; sister, Esther; eleven half sisters and brothers.