The funeral service for Vernon "Red" Ernst will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 10th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin with Pastor Terrill Bramstedt officiating. Burial will be in the Elgin Cemetery with Military Rites by the Elgin American Legion.

Mr. Ernst, 91, of Plainview, MN and formerly of Elgin died Saturday evening, October 5, 2013 at St. Isidore Health Center of Greenwood Prairie in Plainview.

Vernon Alfred Ernst was born April 26, 1922 in Rochester, MN to John and Ella (Wandrey) Ernst. He attended rural school during his elementary years and the Elgin High School in Elgin. Red proudly served his country during WWII as Mate 3rd Class in the US Navy from March 24, 1945– July 1, 1946. On October 1, 1966 he married Lydell Mickow at Grace Lutheran Church in Rochester.

In his early years he worked for area farmers, and then later for Elgin Oil Company and All American Co-op, both in Elgin. Red spent most of his lifetime in the Elgin area, he enjoyed going hunting and fishing. Red was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin, and the Elgin American Legion.

Red is survived by one sister, Evelyn (Norman) Kruger of Plainview, MN; and one brother-in-law, Raymond Mickow of St. Paul, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lydell on June 13, 2011, two brothers, one brother-in-law, and two sister-in-laws.

Friends and family may visit from 9:30 a.m. to time of service on Thursday, October 10th, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Family prefers memorials to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin.