Eugene J. 'Tuffy' Ernst

Eugene Tuffy J. Ernst, 81, of Bellevue, died, Saturday, May 31, 2008, at Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bellevue. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery, where full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post #273. Friends may call from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008, at The Lemke Funeral Home in Bellevue and again on Wednesday from 9:30 AM until the time of procession ALL from the funeral home. There will be a Eulogy Service at approximately 10:20 AM, Wednesday at the Church. Tuffy was born on July 21, 1926, in Bellevue, son of the late George and Matilda Tillie (Ries) Ernst. He married Dolores K. Koppes on September 4, 1946 in Bellevue. She preceded him in death February 9th, 2007. Tuffy was a shift Lieutenant for the Savanna Army Depot before retiring. Tuffy did various cement work in the Bellevue area with his father. He was proud to have served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. Tuffy was a member of the Bellevue American Legion Post 273 and was their Sergeant of Arms for 35 years. He had coached the Bellevue Girls Junior and Senior Softball teams and managed the Bellevue Braves. He also volunteered at the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. Most of all he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include his two sons, Dennis (Jane) Ernst, Dale (Jo) Ernst and a daughter, Debbie (Lorin) Schwager all of Bellevue, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; four sisters, Rosalyn Toots Hill, Betty (Fred) Stoecken, Loella Babe Carter and Bonnie (Bob) Blake all of Bellevue. Besides his parents and his wife Dee he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ardell Butch and George Jr. and one sister Mary Jane Ernst. The Lemke Funeral Home of Bellevue is in charge of the arrangements. The family would like to take this opportunity to extend their sincere thanks to the respective staffs at the Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, Mill Valley Care Center, Medical Associates and RTA of Bellevue, for the warm and professional care given to Tuffy and his family, also too the various special people who took time to help Tuffy when he needed it. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lemkefuneralhome.net.