Anita Ernst

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Anita E. "Neets" Ernst, 90, of Perryville, died March 8, 2013, at her residence.

She was born Nov. 5, 1922, in Biehle, Mo., daughter of Rudolph and Josephine Hotop Pingel. She and Wilfred N. Ernst were married Nov. 20, 1943. He preceded her in death Aug. 4, 2008.

Mrs. Ernst was a home maker. She was a member of St. Maurus Catholic Church in Biehle, St. Ann Sodality, Biehle Social Club Ladies Auxiliary and a devoted wife, mother and grandma.

Survivors include one daughter and four sons, Betty (A.J.) Kluesner of Cape Girardeau, Jim (Stella) Ernst, Dave (June) Ernst of Perryville, Ted (Nancy) Ernst of Jackson and Duane (Denise) Ernst of Perryville; four sisters, Elsie Tucker of St. Louis, Dorothy (Herman) Ponder of Bloomsdale, Mo., Viola (Robert) Amschler of Cape Girardeau and Doris (Eddie) Balsmann of Old Appleton; 12 grandchildren, Teresa (Brad) Durden, Cheryl (Michael) Rich, Greg (Lorraine) Kluesner, Gwen (Rishi) Reddy, Laura (Jesse) Richardet, Tim (Bonnie) Ernst, Mark Ernst, Samuel (Terri) Birk, Pamela Birk, Michael Birk, Kindle (Ryan) Mueller and Zachary Ernst; and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons, Ronald and PFC Gary J. Ernst; three granddaughters, Carolyn Kluesner Modglin, Lezlie Ernst and Natasha Ernst; and one grandson, Steven Kluesner.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 6:30 to 9:15 a.m. Tuesday at Young and Sons Funeral Home.

A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Maurus Catholic Church in Biehle, with the Rev. Tony Dattilo officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to St. Maurus Cemetery.