"Our love and thoughts of sympathy are with Mary and the boys. Ernie was one of those kind and friendly people who bring smiles and good memories. "
In loving memory of
Ernest Eugene Lemmert
May 5, 1950 - May 1, 2021
Ernest Eugene Lemmert, age 70 of Prairie City, passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Every Step Hospice in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 6:00-8:00pm at the church. Masks are required for both services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Reformed Church, Teen Challenge, Central Iowa Cursillo or Gideon's. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com
The son of Gordon and Desdamona (Maffini) Lemmert, Ernie was born on May 5, 1950 in Ogallala, Nebraska. He grew up in North Platte, Nebraska and graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1968. He attended Radio Engineering Institute in Omaha, Nebraska and eventually moved to Des Moines, Iowa. On May 26, 1979, he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Stech at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton. They purchased a home in Prairie City and raised two sons, Cory and Joe. He loved his family and supported his sons in everything they did. He particularly enjoyed seeing Cory play bass guitar in various bands and participating in Civil War re-enactments with Joe. Ernie and Mary enjoyed square dancing, going to the Civic Center musicals, flea markets, antique stores and the Iowa State Fair. Ernie has worked at Koch Brothers in Des Moines for 46 years. He was a member of the first Reformed Church, where he was active as an Elder and Sunday School teacher. He was also active in the Lions Club, Gideon's and Prison Ministries. Ernie had a passion for witnessing and sharing his faith with anyone he would meet. A weekend retreat called Cursillo changed his life and he has faithfully returned each year to work weekends so others may know God's grace. When the weekends began at Teen Challenge, he developed a heart for the students in that program. He often encouraged young inmates he met during prison ministries to go to Teen Challenge because he knew it's a program that changes lives. Ernie always willing to help anyone who needed help and was a humble man who will be missed by many.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Mary; two sons, Cory (Lacey) Lemmert and Joe (Sarah) Lemmert; four grandchildren, Kylie, Peyton, Kendall, and Lena; a sister, Louise (Hugh) Clatterbuck and a nephew, Mark (Sharon) Clatterbuck. Preceding Ernie in death were his parents.
Ernie Lemmert Funeral Service:
https://youtu.be/pRGvHLChLbA
Tributes
"Mary I am so sorry to hear of Ernie?s passing. You and your family are in my prayers."
"I have lifelong memories of my Uncle Ernie. The earliest and most special to me was as a child visiting my grandparents in North Platte, Nebraska. Ernie was a young man at the time working at Montgomery Wards and would bring home Matchbox cars for me to play with. He was a great man I respected and will greatly miss. Mark Clatterbuck"
"It brought extreme sadness and tears to my day when I heard Ernie had crossed sides. I?m happy I had the opportunity to get to know and work with him at Koch Brothers. Ernie will always be remembered for all the greatness he offered; he will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to his family in this time of need!"
"I have known Ernie as long as I can remember. He would always say hi to me and make me feel welcome at First reformed. I had him as a Sunday school teacher. Cursillo buddy and a neighbor. Ernie an bill van wyk introduced Jesus to my friend Jonathan from California... I had the privilege of living two houses down from them. When I think of All the people at first reformed God gave Ernie the biggest heart. He always had a smile on his face and a servants heart! I really thought a lot of him.. about two years ago I was eating alone at a restaurant. Ernie and Mary were there. When I was finished and the waitress brought me my bill she said it was paid in full. I was so touched by the generosity I cried... I can remember singing of De colors at cursillo! Ernie was the craziest one!! He put his heart into everything he did. My life wouldn?t have been the same with out knowing him. It?s truly been a blessing. He had suck kind words when mom passed... he will always be in my memories of first reformed church. Thanks for touching my life Ernie. You will never be corgotten"
"A great man gone too soon. Prayers of strength and support for Mary and family. Robin"
"We have many fond memories with Ernie. We would meet up with Mary and Ernie almost each year (sometimes twice) at the Iowa State fair. We were usually tired from all the walking so we liked to take the trams around the grounds or sit and enjoy some fun fair food. Either from family gatherings or the fair I enjoyed listening to his stories of Joe and his Civil War re-enactments. Ernie was such a Godly man and had a kind heart for everyone. Because of his faith, devotion, and volunteering to all the organizations he sets a great example to inspire all of us men. Until we see you again Ernie, we will miss you. Love to your family, Bill and Sue Stech"
"My name is Matt Halsrud. I have had the privilege of working with Ernie the past 14 years. He was truly inspiring, humble and nothing short of amazing. The lives he has touched in his 46 years of working here at Koch Brothers is very evident at this time. His faithfulness, drive and desire to help everyone is something that none of us will ever, ever forget. He was truly a man for all to aspire to be. To say Ernie will be missed, may be the largest understatement to ever come out of my mouth. We will miss you Ernie. Thank you for everything and I know God has a plan for you to continue to help others. My deepest sympathies to all of you in this time of great loss. "
"Ernie you touched both Mike and my life for such a short time but left a big impact. You will be missed. We pray that Mary finds peace throughout the days and that his grandchildren learn about Ernie through the many stories they hear from those who knew him. Mike and Terri Spangler"