OBITUARY: Walter Ernst of New Hope

Walter Ernst, 104, of New Hope passed away July 7, 2012. He was born Jan. 21, 1908.

Ernst is survived by sisters, Genevieve Lane and Dorothy Ernst; sister-in-law, Lucille Sibley; many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wives, Mary Blazer and Edith Stamps; parents, Anthony and Catherine; brothers, Richard, Irven, Harold and Adrian; sister, Mabel; nephew, Louis Ernst; and niece, Virginia Lane Bannister.

Walter grew up in Plymouth and attended and graduated from Carlton College in 1929 with a degree in Chemistry. He worked as an inspector for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in New York, Baltimore and Chicago before being appointed as an Assistant Director of the FDA in Washington, D.C. Walter retired from the FDA in 1963 and built a retirement home on Lake Pulaski in Buffalo where he and Edith lived for many years before moving to St. Therese Senior Apartments in New Hope.

Walter enjoyed many hobbies, the most prominent of which was dancing. He also spent much time doing family genealogy in addition to collecting rocks from around the world which he cut and polished for making tables, lamps, clocks, jewelry, etc.

He was especially proud of his establishment of the Catherine Ernst Memorial Education Trust Fund in honor of his mother to provide support for any of her descendants who wish to continue their education beyond high school and are in need of support. This fund will continue for years to come.

Interment is at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to the Catherine Ernst Memorial Education Trust Fund, c/o Charles Ernst, 1815 - 9th Ave SE, St. Cloud, MN 56304. 

Visitation is 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, July 12, with the funeral service following at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Joseph of Medicine Lake, 13015 Rockford Road in Plymouth.