Bryce Ernst

Memorial service for Bryce Ernst will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at Walker Funeral Home, Gillette, Wyoming with Barrett Norris officiating. Military Honors will be provided by American Legion Post #42.

Bryce Ernst, 65, of Gillette, died Friday, September 14, 2012 at Campbell County Memorial Hospital due to cancer of the stomach and esophagus.

He was born in Enderlin, N.D. on September, 16, 1946 to Melvin and Bertha (Sommerfeld) Ernst. They raised him and his brother Rodney Ernst in Enderlin, N.D. until 1960 when the family moved to Thief River Falls, Minn. Bryce graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, MN in 1964 and enrolled in the United States Army. Bryce served a three-year term and was stationed primarily in Germany. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and received a degree for surveying. He also had two daughters during this time in his life, Taunya Ernst of Gillette and Jenna (Ernst) MacLennan of Ramsey, Minn.

On May 12, 1979 he married Cheryl (Swanson) Ernst in Casper. In 1980 they moved to Gillette, where they enjoyed 33 years of marriage. They spent every summer with Taunya and Jenna during their school years.

Bryce enjoyed many hobbies including fishing, riding motorcycles, camping, mopeds, and as of late acquiring boats. Bryce and Cheryl enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family.

For the past two years, Bryce was able to enjoy retired to semi-retired life. During his working years, he held various positions in the construction industry including surveying, construction foreman and construction inspection. Bryce was a fun loving person and was liked by everyone who met him. His family has always said that “he could make friends with a post.” He enjoyed positioning himself at a coffee shop (in any town) where he could strike up conversations with travelers passing through on motorcycles. He would listen to their stories and offer help to those who needed it.

Bryce is survived by his wife, Cheryl Ernst, daughters: Taunya Ernst, Jenna (Bill) MacLennan, both of Gillette; four grandchildren: Taylor Ernst, 18, Skylar MacLennan, 8, Liam MacLennan, 4 and Summer Rose MacLennan, 3; mother, Bertha Ernst of Bismarck, N.D. and his brother Rodney (Carol) Ernst of Wahpeton, N.D.

He was preceded in death by his father Melvin Ernst and an infant brother, Melvin Ernst Jr.

Memorials and condolences may be sent in Bryce’s name in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via our website: www.walkerfuneralgillette.com.