Margaret J. Ernst

Margaret Ernst, age 90, of Barnesville, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2012 at St. Catherines Living Center in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Margaret Jane Ernst was born on November 29, 1921 to Joseph and Gena (Carlson) Hansmann in Moorhead, Minnesota, the third of seven children. She graduated from high school in Moorhead and worked at Woolworths and Bell Telephone in Fargo, North Dakota. Margaret married Alfred W. Ernst on October 29, 1947 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Moorhead, Minnesota. They farmed together near Barnesville until retiring and moving into Barnesville in 1975. During this time, she also worked at the Coast To Coast store and managed the Tastee Freeze for many years in Barnesville. They were married 54 years and had four children. Alfred passed away in February of 2001. Margaret enjoyed gardening, canning, her Homemakers Club, the Guild at Assumption Catholic Church, and being a leader in 4-H when her children were young. Margaret moved to River View Assisted Living in Fargo when her health declined. In April of 2010 she moved to St. Catherines Living Center in Wahpeton, where she lived until her passing. Margaret is survived by her children: Deborah Porter of Tintah, Minnesota; Mary Jo (Harold) Register of Twin Valley, Minnesota; James (Margaret) Ernst of Dickinson, North Dakota; and Keith (Debora) Ernst of Fargo; 12 grandchildren: Sean Petersen of Topeka, Kansas; Amanda (Mike) Heyda of Tintah; Phillip (Melissa) Porter of Steele, North Dakota; Michael (Lexy) Porter of Tintah; Jennifer Hall of Dothan, Alabama; Edward (Holly) Rick II of Chandler, Arizona; Tracey (Ryan) Viergutz of Hawley; Trevor (Angela) Ernst of Dickinson; Brady (Arin) Ernst of Commerce City, Colorado, Ryan (Emily) Ernst of Dickinson, Shannon Ernst of Dickinson; and David Ernst of Fargo; 14 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Dorothy Monson of Fargo; Gertrude Ann Smith of Fargo; and Sister Regina Hansmann of Crookston; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Alfred; son-in-law Patrick, brothers, John and Edward Hansmann; and sister, Mary Lou Peterson. Funeral Service: 11:00 am Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville, Minnesota. Visitation: will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Friday, November 9, 2012 at Dobmeier Funeral Home in Barnesville, MN, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm, and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial: St. Marys Catholic Cemetery, Barnesville, MN. On-Line Guest Book at www.dobmeierfuneralhome.com The Dobmeier Funeral Home of Barnesville is assisting the family with arrangements.