Aloysius John Ernster

Aloysius (Al) John Ernster passed away October 19, 2022, at the age of 94. He was born in November 1927, the third child of Aloys and Sophia Ernster, and grew up on a farm in South Dakota during the Depression years. His mother died when he was just nine, and the memory of that loss remained with him throughout his life.

Al played basketball and football in high school and was valedictorian of his senior class. He attended South Dakota State University, obtaining a degree in Pharmacy. He then worked as a pharmacist for five years. During that time, he met Joanne (Jody) Teresa Forbes from Woonsocket, SD, fell head over heels in love, and they married on June 27, 1953. In 1957 Al decided to change his career and began dental school at the University of Nebraska School of Dentistry. He did this with 2 small children in tow. While Jody worked as a registered nurse, they added two more children to the family. Al began his dental practice with the Air Force in the state of Washington from 1960-1962. He then moved his family to Colorado Springs, where his fifth child was born, and began his 35-year career as a general dentist in private practice. He was privileged to serve as President of the El Paso Dental Society in 1988.

A man of many interests, he was a devout Catholic throughout his life. In the 1980’s, he became involved in keeping Colorado Springs’ only Catholic high school, St. Mary’s High School, on solid footing. Al was active in his church choir for 30 years, and a member of America the Beautiful barbershop singers for 15 years. He was a long-term member of the Colorado Springs Country Club and a reliable, vocal and knowledgeable fan of the St. Mary’s Pirates, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Denver Broncos and the Denver Nuggets.

Al’s garden was his pride and joy, providing bumper crops of corn, tomatoes, radishes, and yes, zucchini with accompanying beautiful flower beds. But he was most proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, even attending a Broadway play featuring his daughter, Mary, on his 90th birthday with all his children in attendance. He recently attended the baptism celebration for two of his four great-grandchildren, Scottie and Nolan.

It was well-known that he never considered dinner over until the dessert showed up.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jody, his son Joel (Janice) and their three sons, Nick, Jonathan, and Mark (Jessie) and their daughter, Scottie; his daughter Mary (Kyle Andrews) and their daughter Isabella; his son, Scott (Dawn) and their children, Kaylei, Adam and Roy; his son Greg (Suzanne) and their children Lauren (Logan Niebur) and their children Luke and Nolan and Paul (Julie) and their son Van; and his daughter Molly (Mike Lush) and their children Max, Alec, and Sophia.

He is also survived by his sister Annabelle Hoffman, and half siblings Jim Ernster, Janet Wendt, Glen Ernster, Marlys Elliott, and Eugene Ernster.

Services to honor Al’s life will include a visitation on Thursday, October 27, 2022, from 4-7 pm at Memorial Gardens Cemetery with a Rosary to begin at 6:30. On Friday, October 28, 2022, a Mass will be celebrated at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church at 10:30 am, followed by a burial at Memorial Gardens. Donations in Al’s honor may be made to the St. Mary’s High School Foundation, 2501 E Yampa St, CSC 80909, or the charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialgardensfuneralhome.com for the Ernster family.