Schanzenbach Funeral Home

Meade Veteran’s Administration Hospital near Sturgis on Jan. 7, 2018; he was 97. Ernie was inurned at the Black Hills National Cemetery, and a memorial service was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Fr. John Paul Trask officiating at both.Ernie was born in Akaska, S.D., on Nov. 18, 1920, to Lydia Ochsner and Christ Schanzenbach. Ernie was one of 13 children. The siblings scattered throughout the Western U.S. during the Great Depression and World War II; however, they maintained a strong bond throughout their lives. Ernie was predeceased by all 12 siblings and their spouses: Elsie (Joe) Virginia, Millie (Bill) Simon, Emil (Gerta), Harold (Lorraine), Ruth (Marion) Hansen, Oscar, Esther, Hazel (Sam) Boehler, Lucille (Bob) Stoll, Melvin (Betty), Leroy (Marie), and Gene. Ernie stayed in contact with his many nieces and nephews for whom he cared deeply.Ernie attended school in Glenham, S.D., although high school studies were interrupted by a stint in President Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps in which 23,000 young men from South Dakota served. Ernie was assigned to a camp at Roubaix, SD, in the Black Hills. He returned to Glenham, finished up high school, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1941. He was sent for electrician’s training at the Naval Training School at Purdue University. He was then assigned to one of the 1000 LSTs (Landing Ship, Tanks) which were hastily built at the onset of the War. He served on LST 210 as an electrician’s mate from mid-1942 until it was decommissioned in late 1945. His most active time at sea was during operations on the West Coast of Italy beginning in Sicily and moving up the coast to Salerno and Anzio.After discharge in December 1945, he returned to South Dakota and commenced a 35-year career with Montana-Dakota Utilities; a company for which he was proud to work. In 1950, he married MDU’s home economist in Mobridge, Joan Funk. They were married 67 years. Ernie enjoyed many happy times at the Funk family ranch in Montana and was close to his new family as well.Ernie and Joan had two daughters, Ro... (Black Hills Pioneer)