Pauline “Pat” Ernesti Lambert, 87, died Saturday, July 28, 2012 at her home in Sioux Falls. She was born February 1, 1925 at Harrisburg, SD to Benhardt and Elvida (Boyson) Barnes. She went to grade school in Tea and high school in Lennox, Harrisburg and Yankton. She waitressed and also worked at John Morrell’s during WWII. Pat married James F. Ernesti on October 21, 1944 in New Orleans, LA. She spent several years raising her 12 children and maintaining a busy household. She also assisted her husband with sewing for Ernesti Mattress Co. When her children were older, she worked as a data processing assistant at McKennan Hospital and Ingalls Insurance Company until her retirement. Jim preceded her in death from cancer on March 18, 1981. During her retirement years, Pat enjoyed living at her Colman farm, her dog Precious, gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, reading, dancing, writing her memoirs/family tree and communicating with her children and grandchildren on the computer. Pat married Bill Lambert on February 8, 1985 in Sioux Falls and spent 15 loving, memorable years with him until his death on November 14, 2001. She will be remembered as a loving, devoted and concerned parent, grandparent and great-grandparent. Pat thoroughly enjoyed visits, phone calls, cards and gifts from them over the years, as well as from her many other family members and friends. They were always on display. Pat was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America, American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary.
Pat is survived by 11 children, Donna (Dennis) Rolfson, Dennis Ernesti, James V. Ernesti, Joan (Jeff) Dow, Deborah (Jon) Heisel, Thomas Ernesti, all of Sioux Falls, Pamela (Daniel) Rustvang, Grand Forks, ND, Mary (Michael) Schave, Gillette, WY, Theresa (Kent) Headrick, Flandreau, Daniel (Teresa) Ernesti, Dell Rapids, Lauri (Thomas) Starr, George, IA; 31 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren; a brother Carroll (Corinne) Barnes, Sioux Falls and a sister Myrtle (Dale) Olson, Flandreau. Pat was preceded in death by her two husbands, daughter Kathryn Becker, two granddaughters, Michelle Schave and Angela Rustvang, one grandson David Ernesti, her parents, and four siblings, Duane, Betty, Leona and Roger.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Flandreau, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 5-7 pm Wednesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau, with a 7:00 pm prayer service followed by a Catholic Daughter Rosary. www.skrochfc.com