Ernest L. "Ernie" Orth

“Ernie loved people and people loved him”, that is the absolute truth! Jeff and I only moved to the neighborhood less than 2 years ago and he made sure we felt welcome. I will never forget the day we were out working in the garage and he pulled up and dropped off buster bars from DQ and told us to take a break.It was so darn hot out that day that our ice cream was melting faster than we could get it in our mouths, but boy were we happy kids! Ernie adored our 2 crazy puppies and they absolutely adored him. They took every chance they had to run across the street to Ernie’s and visit him when he was out sitting in his chair! Our little pug mix pup would jump and jump to get his attention, practically knocking him over every time, and he would just giggle. Two nights before he passed, Jeff brought our lab mix over to see him. He had just gotten home from the hospital so I didn’t let the pug go. Jeff came back a short while later and said Ernie kept asking “where’s the little one?” So he grabbed her and the 3 of them spent hours over there with him. She is a wild 10 month old puppy and he is the ONLY person we ever met that not only didn’t mind her energy, but actually requested to see her! He watched them overnight for us in October and let both of them sleep in his bed with him… thats how I know he loved them as his own! Jeff got a picture of our lab up on “the davenport” with him the night they were all over there and that is a picture we will always treasure, as it is the only picture we have of him. We only knew him for a short time, but he truly became family to us. I wish we would have had more time with him. We are so thankful to have known him. It is difficult to look out the front window every morning and know that we will never see him out there again. He touched our lives and our hearts (more so than we even realized). We send our love and prayers to Ernie’s family. He was a good, good man!!
Love – Jeff and Brittany

I just can’t believe he is gone. My mom and dad were good friends as I was growing up. I remember him coming over and fixing things with my dad too. I also babysat Roxanne’s kids when they went to a wedding when they were little. My dad died 22 years ago but my mom is still living at the age of 93. (Margaret Beastrom)I will always remember his smile and chuckle. Death is very hard to deal with I will you all in my prayers.(we lost our son in August and everyday it is difficult without him)

We will miss Ernie sitting on his chair on his driveway when the weather is nice like the sentry to our neighborhood. He was always excited to see our daughters. He always had a hug and a treat for them and he always said to them “How are my girls…” or “There are my heart breakers…”. He was a great neighbor, and it was always good to visit with him. We will miss him so much.

I love you so much, Grandpa. Words cannot describe how much you will be missed and our hearts are hurting. You are an extraordinary person and we are better because of you. Thankful for all the incredible memories and may you rest in peace.

I remember Ernie from dog training in St. Cloud and seeing him and Evelyn at dog shows. Ernie always had a smiling face and interested in what was new with everybody. He was always willing to help out. He will be missed.