Ernie Richard Michaelis

Obituary

Ernie Richard Michaelis was born on September 20, 1932, in Green Isle Township, rural Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Richard M. and Elsie (Milbrand) Michaelis. Ernie was baptized as an infant on October 2, 1932, by Pastor A. J. Dysterheft and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on April 14, 1946, by Pastor H. H. Schaller both at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Helen Township, rural Glencoe, Minnesota. He received his education at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Parochial School, District 45 and then graduated from Glencoe High School with the Class of 1949.

Ernie entered active military service in the United States Army on March 6, 1953, and served his country during the Korean War. He received an Honorable Discharge on March 4, 1955, and achieved the rank of Corporal. He returned from serving his country to take over the family farm in rural Glencoe. On February 20, 1959, Ernie was united in marriage to Evelyn (Evie) Bening at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gaylord, Minnesota. Ernie and Evie farmed together for 28 years until he retired from rural life in 1987 and moved to Glencoe. After that point, he realized a second career was in order and worked for the US Postal Service in Hopkins, Minnesota for around 12 years. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Jim, Mary Ann and Lois. Ernie and Evie shared over 60 wonderful years of marriage.

Ernie’s church and faith were very important to him. He was an active lifetime member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Helen Township, rural Glencoe, Minnesota. Ernie loved music and so enjoyed singing in the church choir. For many years he sang in a quartet where his wonderful bass voice was enjoyed by many. Ernie was also a member of the Glencoe American Legion Post #95.

Ernie had a kind and gentle soul always wanting to do things “right”. He loved to have fun and his laugh was infectious, indeed booming. He enjoyed polka dancing, attending German festivals, snowmobiling, participating in bus trip tours and wintering in Arizona. Ernie and Evie were blessed to spend around 60 year’s playing cards with couples from the farming community, most of which were Ernie’s childhood friends. Ernie was a faithful husband and caretaker for Evie for many years. Family, both immediate and extended, was so very important to Ernie. You never knew when a sing-a-long would bust out. Ernie easily made new friends and enjoyed lifelong relationships with so many wonderful people.

Ernie became a resident of Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson in June of 2019. He was treated with dignity and received wonderful, loving care even as he passed away there on Friday, November 1, 2019, at the age of 87 years, 1 month, and 11 days.

Ernie is survived by his:
Wife, Evelyn Michaelis of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Jim Michaelis and his wife, Judy, of Glencoe, MN,
Mary Ann Haag of Urbandale, IA,
Lois Goode and her husband, Bruce of Lakeside, AZ;
Grandchildren, Katie Hillesheim and her husband, Mike, of Shakopee, MN,
Becky Lipinski and her husband, Kelly, of Otsego, MN,
Jodi Michaelis of Glencoe, MN,
Randi Taafe and her husband, Kevin of Arlington, MN,
Ted Haag of Jonesboro, AR,
Tori Haag of West Des Moine, IA,
Caroline Goode of Lakeside, AZ,
Josiah Goode of Lakeside, AZ,
Anneliese Goode of Lakeside, AZ;
Great-grandchildren, Cole Hillesheim, Maggie Hillesheim, Henly Hillesheim, Owen Lipinski, Isaac Lipinski, Tarin Michaelis, Cody Michaelis,
Jameson Perschau, Caden Perschau, Amelia Taafe, Paul Taafe, Addy Taafe, Stella Taafe;
Siblings, Ruth Dose and her husband, Melvin H., of Glencoe, MN,
Lois Herrmann and her husband, Willis, of Glencoe, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Ernie was preceded in death by his Parents, Richard M. and Elsie Michaelis; Brother, Richard G. Michaelis; Grandson, Dustin Michaelis.