A Memorial Service for Mary Lou Ernst will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Rev. Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. officiating. A private family interment will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington, Nebraska, prior to the memorial service. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family present. Face coverings will be required.
Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services and Gatherings will be followed. The Ernst family sincerely encourages each person to make their decision whether to attend Mary Lou’s services, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community. Mary Lou’s memorial service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622)
Mary Lou Ernst, 77 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Holdrege Memorial Homes in Holdrege. Mary Lou was born on December 17, 1943 at Lexington, the youngest of three children, to Dwayne Del Dean “Dutch” or “DD” and Corrinne (Smith) Ernst. She was born with many challenges that she would continue to experience throughout her life. Mary Lou was one of the first children with disabilities to graduate from Lexington Public Schools in l962. School was difficult for her and when she graduated from high school, college wasn’t an option. Most of her classmates went on to college or moved away from Lexington and she was left pretty much alone. She recalled this as one of the hardest times in her life.
Mary Lou stayed at home the year following graduation working with her folks to determine her future. As they looked into sheltered homes, they visited Bethphage Mission in Axtell, Nebraska. At 19 years of age, she moved to Bethphage where she lived for 12 years. It became evident quickly that she had found a home away from home.
At Bethphage, she started working with small children and later moved into secretarial work for the home. When Bethphage expanded to community housing in nearby Holdrege, Mary Lou was one of the first to move into community-based housing and began working in retail at the Corner Nugget, a thrift shop run by Bethphage. Her success fueled her desire for further independence. She went looking for a place and found an apartment on her own. She moved into the apartment and also decided to try different jobs, including working for several years in the Holdrege School System in the cafeteria. She lived in four different places, each allowing for her to walk to the grocery store, shopping, and to work.
When budget cuts forced the school to cut her position, she returned to the Corner Nugget where she worked afternoons as a cashier and clerk until her retirement in 2016. In 2017, Mary Lou moved to the Holdrege Memorial Homes where she resided for her remaining life. She appreciated the care she received there.
In 2002 Mary Lou began serving on the Bethphage Board of Directors. She continued that service after Bethphage and Martin Luther Homes united as Mosaic. She was a pioneer, being the first person who had ever received services from the organization to serve on the Board.
Mary Lou was the recipient of the Bill Sackter Award from the Association of Retarded Citizens/Nebraska given to someone who has demonstrated that an individual with mental disabilities can leave an institution and become an integrated member of the community. She served as president of the Phelps County Jaycees “Special Chapter for the Handicapped”.
Mary Lou had a very active life and was a real “people person”. She was a devout fan of the Holdrege Dusters and loved attending community activities. The people of Holdrege were her second family and helped her greatly. They all held a special place in Mary Lou’s heart. She was an avid traveler which started at a young age with her folks, Dutch and Rene Ernst. They visited Hawaii, Germany, London, and Paris. She was a big fan of cruises to Hawaii and the Caribbean and enjoyed the excitement of Las Vegas. Frequently visiting her brothers Bob and Jim and flying were activities she cherished.
To say Mary Lou was an avid sports fan would be an understatement! She was passionate about all sports, but especially loved Husker football. She loved to watch the Big Ten Network, followed by ESPN. Mary Lou was always dressed to the nines! She had a flair for coordinating her jewelry to her outfits.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Mary Lou is survived by her two brothers Robert Ernst and his wife, Diane of Estes Park, Colorado and James Ernst of San Antonio Texas; two nieces: Jodie Deeney, her husband Jeremy and sons Adam and Aidan of Vancouver, Washington, Katrina Ernst of Golden, Colorado; three nephews: Todd Ernst, his wife, Stacy and sons Jacob and Josh of San Antonio, Texas, Bruce Ernst, his wife, Jill and sons James and Finn of Reston, Virginia and David Ernst of Mill Creek, Washington; special cousins to Mary Lou: Patricia Bremenkamp of Salina, Kansas, Becky Stuckman of Osborn, Kansas, Steve Smith of Tocca, Georgia, Don, Becky, and Judy Grether of Berkeley, California.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Mary Lou’s honor and kindly suggested to Mosaic of Holdrege.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is assisting the family with the arrangements.