Betty Lou Ernst, 93, of East Jordan died Sunday, April 4, 2021, at the home of her daughter.
She was born on June 8, 1927, in Lake Leelanau, Michigan, the daughter of Henry and Josephine (Hahnenberg) Reynolds.
She married Leo Albert Ernst on February 19, 1944, in Gaylord at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They lived most of their married life in East Jordan. In 1980, they moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where they resided for 15 years. They returned to East Jordan in 1994.
Betty was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan. She loved farming with her husband and spending time with her family. Betty loved caring for people.
She is survived by seven sons, Thomas (Louise) Ernst of Central Lake, James (Joyce) Ernst of Crossville, Tennessee, Stephen (Sherry) Ernst of Newberry, Marty (Lisa) Ernst of East Jordan, Kenneth (Colleen) Ernst of Central Lake, Ronald (Dee Dee) Ernst of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, and Lawrence (Jeri) Ernst of Pickford; six daughters, Rita (Wayne) Barnett of East Jordan, Patricia Hanell of Traverse City, Carol (Dick) Hoffman of East Jordan, Elly Payton of East Jordan, Laurie (Randy) LaVanway of Central Lake and Kathleen Beal of East Jordan; one son-in-law, Doug Reynolds of Charlevoix; 42 grandchildren; 124 great grandchildren; 24 great great grandchildren; two brothers, Gaylord Reynolds of Boyne Falls and Doc (Mary) Reynolds of Zephyrhills, Florida and Elmira; two sisters, Eileen McGill of Grand Rapids and Kathleen Wilson of Boyne Falls. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Leo A. Ernst on May 4, 1995; and two daughters, Mary Ann Ernst of April 29, 1975 and Betsy Reynolds on August 14, 2019.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, April 9, 2021, at 1:00 P.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan. Rev. Fa. Furgiuele will officiate with interment following at St. Joseph Calvary Cemetery, East Jordan. A rosary prayer service will be held on Friday at 12:45 PM. Visitation will be held on Friday from 12:00 Noon until service time at church. Memorials may be directed to Care and Share Food Pantry, 6710 M-32 PO Box 901, East Jordan, MI 49727.
The family was served by the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc., East Jordan.
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