Ernest’s Obituary Fairmont, MN Memorial Service for Ernest “Ernie” R. Hand will be 11:00 am on Friday, March 1, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont with military honors provided by the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1222. Visitation will be 9:00 to 11:00 am on Friday at the church. Inurnment will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont at a later date. Ernie passed away on Tuesday afternoon, February 26, 2019, at the Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, IA. The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements. Ernest Richard Hand was born on March 10, 1927, in Fairmont, MN. He was the son of Ernest and Emma (Saggau) Hand. Ernie attended school in Fairmont and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1945. He grew up helping his parents operate Hand’s Park, a ballroom, ballfield, and popular swimming spot in Martin County. Immediately upon graduating, Ernie joined the army and did his basic training at Fort Bliss, TX. He wanted to be a paratrooper but at 6’1” he was one inch too tall. Ernie was on a train with his fellow anti-aircraft artillery soldiers bound for the west coast to deploy to the Pacific when the war ended and he served out his military service stateside before receiving his honorary discharge on November 21, 1946. On June 29, 1951, Ernie was united in marriage to Fern Johnson at East Chain Lutheran Church. The couple made their home on South Silver Lake south of Fairmont. This union was blessed with four children, Richard, James, Deb, and Shelly. Ernie and Fern shared over sixty-seven years together. Ernie followed in his father’s footsteps and worked as a commercial fisherman, seining area lakes and removing rough fish. He would sein the lakes in the winter on the ice with the help of his loyal crew in very harsh working conditions. Being the hardworking man that he was he also worked full-time at Stokely Van Camp and later United Foods before retiring in 1989. He continued to help his sons, Rick and Jim, with the family commercial fishing business for many years. In the spring, he planted huge vegetable gardens and tended to his apple trees. Each summer and fall, he sold his crop at farmer’s markets in Fairmont for over thirty years. After retiring, Ernie and Fern took dancing lessons together and spent many a night dancing with their circle of friends dancing to waltzes, polkas, and two steps at all the area ballrooms. Ernie loved to hunt, trap, and fish and usually got his limit of whatever he was aiming to get. His favorite times were spent going fishing with his sons and grandson. It was a highlight of his year every fall to bring a deer home. Ernie shared his love of the outdoors by being a member of the Martin County Conservation Club. He enjoyed bowling, following politics and loved his dogs, especially his black lab, Jake, as well as his cat Benny. Ernie wrote many poems about their adventures together. He most loved spending his time with Fern and his children on family trips and get -togethers with relatives. Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Fern Hand of Fairmont, MN; son, James (Donna) Hand, of Fairmont, MN; daughters, Deb Domek of Mankato, MN, and Shelly (Bruce) Abitz of Fairmont, MN; daughter-in-law, Tammy Hand of Welcome, MN; grandchildren, Taylor Domek, Raina Domek, Aimee Hand, Carlene Hand, Gavin Hand, Michelle Ehlers, and Jennifer Abitz; great grandchildren, Brandon Williams, Morgan Ehlers, and Piper Abitz Duderstadt; brother, August (Leann) Hand of Johnstown, CO; Sisters-in-law, Ruth Johnson of Fairmont, MN, and Ethel Jensen of Morton Grove, IL; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Along with his parents, Ernest and Emma Hand, Ernie was preceded in death by his son, Richard Hand; granddaughter, Sarah Hand; son-in-law, Terry Domek; brother, Harland Hand; sisters, Frances Sullivan, Emma Lou Schley, and Rose Hand; parents-in-law, Anton and Edith Johnson; brothers-in-law, Harold Jensen, Elmer Greiman, George Johnson, and Floyd Johnson; and sisters-in-law, Alice Greiman, and Eunice Johnson. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ernest R Hand March 10 1927 February 26 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Fairmont, state: Minnesota