Erna 'Ernie' Hornig

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Hornig, Erna "Ernie" We lost our beloved Ernie two weeks after her 94th Birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Nina Dunbar, her husband Donald and by her first son Joseph who died in childbirth. She is survived by her four sons and their spouses: Gary (Sandy), David (Barb), Jim (Sally), and Steven (Penny). She is also survived by twelve grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Ernie was an inspiration and a force for ninety-four years. Her bedrock and passions were faith, family and location, location, location! (real estate). She was devoted to the Lord first as a Methodist and later as a Catholic. She read the Bible every night for decades and attended St. Austin's and later St. Patrick's Churches. Most importantly her faith was imbedded and she lived her life devoted to Jesus. At good news she would often throw up her hands and shout "Praise the Lord" in genuine gratitude of God. Ernie's devotion to family started with her husband Donald. They were high school sweethearts; she found him a good dancer and he felt she would make a great mother (Don always had good instincts!) They married at age 18 and were devoted to each other for sixty-three years. Ernie and Don raised four sons and she was incredibly proud of them. Whenever one of her boys faced a challenge she would insist "you can do it!" Ernie was a stay at home mom who thrilled at every phase of motherhood. The boys attended St. Austin grade school and walked home for lunch. Every day Ern had hot soup and sandwiches (liverwurst or bologna) waiting. But it wasn't all milk and cookies. Ernie believed in discipline and hard work. She set high standards and none of her boys wanted to disappoint their special mom. Together Ern and Don began to buy rental properties. First a duplex, then a fourplex and on from there. Ernie was the saver and Don the deal guy. Ernie remained active in the business until age 85. A week before her death she was telling her boys " I need one more building - are there any good apartments for sale?" Together Ernie and Don built a family business that continues today. Ernie led a simple life focused on family and those around her, rarely on herself. We will miss our sweet angel. The last three years she was lovingly cared for by the staff at Folkestone in Wayzata. Ernie's entire family are touched by the love, concern and assistance you gave to Ernie. We are all grateful. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Presbyterian Home Mission Benevolence Fund which supports residents in need. Funeral service 11 am on Thursday, June 16 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 6820 St. Patrick's Ln, Edina, MN 55439. Visitation one hour prior

Published on June 12, 2016