Leland W. Ernst

His family moved to Longmont in 1950. He attended Longmont High School and graduated in 1959. In the fall of 1959, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Leland married his high school sweetheart, Pam Walden, on February 25, 1962, and they moved to Great Falls, Montana, where Leland worked as an airplane mechanic on KC-97 tanker planes. When they returned to Longmont, they started their family with a son, Doyle, being born in 1963 and a daughter, Dawnia, in 1965.

Leland's favorite pastimes were gardening, canning, fishing, hunting, and cooking. He was a lifetime member of Foothills Fish and Game Club in Hygiene, which afforded the whole family fishing, swimming, and picnicking activities at the lake. He and his son went antelope hunting together. Friends and family were important to him. Hiking, travelling, feeding the backyard birds, and carpentry were his other hobbies.

As a lifetime member of the Longmont Elks Club, he enjoyed many dances and dinners with Pam and for many years he helped prepare and deliver Christmas baskets for the needy. In 2006 he and Pam joined Longs Peak United Methodist Church.

Leland worked for Ideal Markets in Longmont and at Kodak Colorado in Windsor. He retired from Kodak in 1999. At Kodak he worked as a systems analyst and later as a tool crib manager. In his retirement years, he worked part time for Mike Johnson, surveyor, and for Longmont Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Hilda Ernst, his son, Doyle Mitchell, his brother, Don, two nieces, and two nephews.

Leland is survived by his wife, Pam, daughter, Dawnia (Jon) Roth, granddaughters, Malanie Roth and Sara (Mike) Schreiner, great granddaughters, Ayva and Elena, sister-in-law, Donna, brother Harvey (Shirley) Ernst, sister Wilma Wetlaufer, as well as nieces and a nephew.

A Memorial Service was held Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at Longs Peak United Methodist Church in Longmont. Leland was laid to eternal rest on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, next to his son, Doyle, at Foothills Gardens of Memory in Longmont. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Longs Peak United Methodist Church or Paralyzed Veterans of America. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared at www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com for the Ernst family.