Ernest F. 'a/k/a Mr. Snuffy' Pivec

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Pivec, Ernest F. aka "Mr. Snuffy" Passed away peacefully September 7th at Little Sisters of the Poor in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was a kind, gentle man, who dearly loved his wife, Mary Anne. He'd sweetly serenade her every day. Ernie was well known for the famous, one and only Snuffy's Drive- In in Minnetonka, the popular hangout of a simpler time, where everyone in town came to enjoy a Snuffy Burger, Fries, Coke and more! It all started when he went to summer school so he could finish High School and join the Navy. Ernie, being only 17 at the time, his father Bill then signed him up. While overseas, a friend sent "Spider", Ernie's Navy nickname, a figurine of a skunk named Snuffy. When Ernie came home on leave, he met his future bride Mary Anne LaHaye, and on his return from the war in 1946, they were married. Ernie first started out as a meat-cutter in Hopkins and through Mary Anne, he met Bill Linstrom. Bill and Ernie became partners and together purchased the lot on Highway and 101. The original Snuffy's Drive-In was born. Many folks would ask Ernie, what was the reason for starting a drive-in in the first place" I was hungry". In 1951, Bill Lindstrom was called back to serve in the Korean Crisis. Frank and Josephine (Aunt Jo) Sefcik stepped in to become his new partners. For 2 years, Ernie ran a 2nd Snuffy's in Hopkins. To supplement his income, he drove a school bus for 3 years and sold Christmas trees in the parking lot of Snuffys. Ernie was also owner of Lilli-Putt Miniature Golf which Mary Anne managed, and much like their love for one another, was a perfect match with Snuffy's! Along with his many business ventures, Ernie dearly loved his friends and family, and he enjoyed bow hunting, fishing, cooking and playing cribbage with his sister-in-law Muggs LaHaye. He later became the Cribbage King at Little Sisters. Ernie is survived by his daughter Ann Pivec and son David (Terry) Pivec; son in-law Jim (Terry) Magnuson, grandchildren Katie (Dan) Youngblade, Kristina (John) Kirby, Kayla Mei Pivec, Aneta Magnuson, Adam Magnuson, and great grandchildren Vivian, Daniel, Scarlett, Walter and Charlotte. Visitation at 10:30, Funeral Services at 11:30 at St. John the Baptist in Excelsior, Minnesota on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. A livestreaming address will be available by calling the church on Monday 952-474-8868. Memorials preferred to Little Sisters of the Poor, 330 Exchange Street South, St. Paul, MN 55102. Huber Funeral & Cremation Services Excelsior Chapel 952-474-9595 huberfunerals.com

Published on September 12, 2021