Ernie “Ern” Nelson, age 94, residing in Miles City, Montana went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ December 6, 2022. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith on July 21, 1957 in Sturgis, South Dakota. (Matthew 28:9) In August of 1989 he became a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Ernie was born on February 28, 1928 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota to Ella and Ernest F. Nelson. He was blessed by three sisters: Ella, Ernidean, and Elanora. He resided at his aunt and uncle’s house in Bear Lodge Country, Aladdin, Wyoming until the age of 19 when he enlisted in the Navy in November of 1951. Ernie was stationed on the USS Prairie Destroyer out of San Francisco, California. He was honorably discharged in November of 1955. During his Navy years he shared a lot of good times with his sister, Ernidean and husband Gordon, who lived in the San Francisco area.
After the Navy Ernie moved back to Spearfish, South Dakota, where he met Esther, his wife of 64 years. They married on May 17, 1956 in Deadwood, South Dakota. He went into refrigeration and air conditioning before driving a semi for Sunshine Daily until 1963. Later he transferred to Belle Creek, Montana where he did oil field work for Black Hills Power and then Sam Gary, whom he worked for until retiring in 1989. In Miles City he worked for Gus Albert, Ace Hardware, and Walmart. Ernie worked for Walmart for 15 years before retiring in 2021.
Ernie was blessed with a daughter, Cheryl and a son, Terry.
He is survived by his wife Esther, daughter Cheryl (Dan) Stark, granddaughter Tesha Stark and great grandsons Conner and Carson, granddaughter Kayla Stark and great grandsons Jayden, Bentley, Trevor, and Dustin. Ernie has always referred to his great grandsons as “My Boys”.
He is proceeded in death by his son Terry Nelson (July 24, 2022), his parents and many other family members.
Ern’s main saying, that was always said with a smile was, “I’m older than dirt!”
Family will receive friends on Monday, December 19, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles City. Interment with full military honors will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday December 19, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday December 20, 2022
Trinity Lutheran Church
221 South Center Avenue
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
After Funeral Service
Tuesday December 20, 2022
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Monday December 19, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday December 20, 2022
Trinity Lutheran Church
221 South Center Avenue
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
After Funeral Service
Tuesday December 20, 2022
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Jay Bergman says
I worked with Ernie at Walmart during 2011 and 2012. He was great to work with. He’ll always be The Hardware King to me! My condolences to Esther and Ernie’s family, friends, and coworkers. — Jay Bergman (Rev. Derf’s wife)
Douglas Ochsner says
I had the pleasure of working with Ernie in Hardware at Walmart for quite a few years. He will be missed. My condolences to his family.
Kelli Rooney says
Aw, Ernie was an awesome guy who I had the pleasure of knowing when I worked at Walmart. His mind was so sharp and I loved listening to his stories.
Sandi Kohones and Jon Wilkerson says
Ernie was a wonderful neighbor and friend to my father in law and was such a great person to see when he was working at WalMart ! He never forgot a face and was such a pleasure to visit with. Prayers and condolences to his family.
Pat Blumhorst says
sympathy, hugs and love to you, Esther and family!
Lona Lund says
I worked with Ernie he was such a good guy. He was so caring. When I had a my accident and couldn’t work for 4 months he would stop in and make sure I was OK. He was always telling me about one of his wood working projects he was doing. I will really miss him. All my prayers are going to his family.
Lori Lund
Tisha Gierke says
I knew Ernie for many years wile working at walmart. I’m going to miss him and his stories. To Ernies family I’m so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you
Max and Vickie Miller says
We are sorry to see Ernie passed away! He had a good long life and we have many fond memories of our Belle Creek years together! Our thoughts and prayers are with you Esther and family!
Deb Jerrel says
Ernie was such a great guy. What a dedicated employee he was for Walmart. Rest in peace Ernie knowing that you will be missed by many …❤
Bob and Carolyn Traub says
So sorry to hear this. Ernie was such a nice guy. Lots of memories from the Belle Creek days and always a good visit whenever we would see him at Walmart. Sending Hugs and Prayers to all the family.
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
What a nice guy! Ernie would visit with us whenever we saw him and had the best stories. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
Bill and Ann Wetherelt says
Bill and Ernie built a barn toy box for our boys during the years we knew the Nelson’s in Belle Creek. And after we both moved on From Belle Creek we still got to visit with Ernie on our many weekend trips through Miles City and Wal-Mart stops. He always had the same hearty greeting year after year. We will miss him. Our prayers for all his family.
Darbie Karch says
Sending condolences to Ernie’s family. He willed be missed. I got to work with him a few years and what a great guy he was. Hard worker with a big heart. Rip Earnie.
Nikky Walker says
sending lots of love and prayers to the family and friends while they grieve over a amazing man. I had the pleasure of working with ernie at Walmart and we had fun and boy if you did something wrong he would tell ya and don’t you dare touch the machines at the paint counter lol that was little place of happiness. Lots of memories with this man and he has also taught me some life lessons i will never forget. So heart breaking to see a good soul go.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Ah🙁. This young man was one of the sweetest and most giving person I ever met. Seems like he was always working at Walmart and if I needed help with anything in the hard goods department, he would be right there. You couldn’t find a better Jack of all trades. We are going to miss him so much, but it must’ve been his time. He knows best. My sincere sympathy to all Ernie’s friends and family
Joan Leinwand says
Had missed seeing this man in Walmart. Was always so helpful and friendly. Condolences to the family.
Terry plowman says
I worked with Ernie at Walmart he was a great man he told me story’s about his childhood made me laugh He had a great life I hope I lived as long as he did
Cody Morris says
Esther, I am so sorry, once again, for your loss! I have good memories of Ernie from when I was a kid in Belle Creek, and also when I worked as a roustabout there while he was still working for Exxon. He was always nice to visit with.
Peggy & Brian says
Love you my friend 💕.
Deepest sympathy to your sweet wife
And your lovely family.
Martha Crandall says
My sympathies
Marv and Bernice Beam says
Esther,we are so sorry for your loss. Our memories are of the years in Belle Creek and our visits in Miles City. Our sincere sympathy and prayers to you and family.
Debbie Anderson says
Ernie you were such a wonderful man. I loved working with you at Walmart. Your woodwork projects were amazing. I loved your stories. You will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers go out to Esther and family.
KIMBERLY Goff says
Esther, I’m so sorry to hear the loss of Ernie, he was such a great man, we enjoyed visiting with you two when we would bring you wood. We will miss him greatly . Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this time just know we love you both. . He will be missed but not forgotten.
Love Kimberly and Don Goff
Lisa Roush carlson says
Ernie was such a wonderful soul…we always talked when I came thru..he helped me always when I needed ANYTHING….he was such a cheerful respected man at Walmart or wherever I ran into him…he TRUELY cared about what was going on in your life..my deepest regards to his family…..my heart is hurt by this news for sure ….God bless this sweet man!!!
Terry Haggard says
Ernie, GOD Bless you and your Family, a Life well lived! President Kennedy was quoted “I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: ‘I served in the United States Navy.” Best to ya –
LauraLee Ullrich says
Esther and Sheryl and family, I was sad to read of Ernie’s passing. Lots of good memories of the Belle Creek days and then aleways seeing him at Walmart or Trinity. He was a good man. My sympathies and prayers are with you all.
Allen and Barbara Hannahs says
It was in the summer of 2020 on our vacation back to South Dakota we turned north off I 90 heading to Miles City to see Uncle Ernie Aunt Esther and cousin Terry……we spend most of the midday with them Ernie and Terry were both off work that day…….we shared memories with them and enjoyed their hospitality …..even had beer and pizza with them before saying goodbye. It was my first time meeting them and I must say they left a lasting impression on me. Just absolutely wonderful loving people. RIP Uncle Ernie you were definitely one of the good guys ❤️
Laura Monasmith says
Jesus is now enjoying Ernie’s gentle soul. Such a gentleman and an enjoyable man. He will be missed.
SALLY ANN BORLA says
THIS MESSAGE IS FROM A FRIEND HERE IN BROADUS WHO SAID SHE WAS A TEACHER AT BELLE CREEK WHEN YOUR CHILDREN WERE IN SCHOOL–SHE WANTED ERNIE’S FAMILY TO KNOW SHE SENDS HER SINCERE SYMPATHY TO ALL THE FAMILY–HER NAME IS PATRCIA HANLAN AND I KNOW SHARES MANY OF THE MESSAGES ALREADY SENT-GOD BLESS. PAT DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER SO THIS IS BEING SENT IN HER NAME.
Rose Starling says
Ernie was an awesome man. It has been many years ago but we use to have so much fun hunting and visiting with him and Esther. Always had a smile on his face and a laugh to go with it.
Rest in peace Ernie and my deepest sympathy to the family.
Jane Thompson says
Dear Esther;
Was scanning and just saw this, Please accept my late condolences. So many Belle Creek memories and now many of us have gone on to be with the Lord. May you be comforted with the Lord’s peace. Sending lots of love your way.