George Dale Ernst, age 91, passed away on Oct. 30, 2021 in Chanhassen, MN.
Dale was born to George and Doris (Miquelon) Ernst on June 6, 1930 in Sioux City, IA. He grew up on the Ernst farm near Sloan, IA where he learned the skills of plowing, milking, and gathering around the family piano in the evening to joyfully sing together.
Dale graduated from high school in Sloan, IA in 1948. In 1953, Dale earned a B.A. degree from William Penn College in Oskaloosa, IA and an M.A. degree from Iowa State University in Ames, IA in 1961.
After a short term teaching high school science he pursued private industry and had a satisfying career for 35 years as a Chemist at Tennant Company. In 1980, Dale was promoted to Principal Scientist at Tennant Company; the first person at Tennant to hold this position. He earned a patent for a waterbased urethane product for the company and received a dollar token for the accomplishment.
He married Barbara Jean (Gisselbeck) Ernst on August 21, 1950 while still in college and they shared 50 years together until Barbara’s death in 2000. They raised 3 children and 2 grandchildren.
Music was his love. He sang in a Barbershop quartet in college and actively sang in the church choir throughout his life with his beautiful tenor voice. He said that “music was the ambrosia of the gods.”
He is preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Evonne Johnson. He is survived by two brothers, Richard Ernst of Cedar Rapid, IA, and Ron (Esther) Ernst of Sloan, IA. He is also survived by his children Janice Ernst of Rapid City, SD, James (Cynthia) Ernst of Minnestrista, MN, and Carrie Ernst of Minneapolis, MN He has 5 wonderful grandchildren Tony Martin of Excelsior, MN, Danielle Martin of Morgantown, WV, Emily Ernst of Brooklyn Park, MN, Ryan (Lindsey) Ernst of Delano, MN, and Joshua Painter of Hastings, MN. He has 2 precious great-grandchildren, Madeline and Mason Ernst of Delano, MN.
Dale’s kind and gentle being will be missed by many.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Minnetonka United Methodist Church in Minnetonka, MN. Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm; one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Groveland Cemetary immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Dale’s name.