Obituary of Barbara Joan Ernst

Ernst, Barbara Joan Age 68, passed peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on June 4, 2021 after a 7 year battle with ovarian cancer. She was born in Redwood Falls, MN on April 28, 1953 to Bob and Shirley Dummer. On December 1st, 1973 she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Randi Ernst. Barb loved Jesus, her family, her dogs, and all people. There was never a kinder, sweeter soul to walk the face of this earth. She was a dedicated mother, wife, sister, and she especially treasured her role as a Nana. She poured her life into others - teaching Kindergarten Sunday school, praying for everyone with needs, passing out her "posters" proclaiming the Joy of The Lord is my Strength, and taking her therapy dog Dinah to nursing homes and elementary schools. Her goal was basically to bless every single person she came into contact with - whether it was in the chemotherapy chair, the grocery store, or the post office. Her life was a living example of her favorite verse, Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Barb is survived by her husband of 47 years Randi Ernst, brothers Bob (Paulette) Dummer, Jim Dummer, and sister Patricia Constans; daughter Jenni (Andy) Lawrence, son Travis Ernst and two beloved grandsons - the joy of her life - Ryan and Kyle Lawrence. Plus many beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. All of these people she loved and touched deeply. Please join us in celebrating her life on Sunday, June 13th at 3pm at Summit Heights Fellowship 2340 FM-2869, Hawkins, TX 75765. Livestream available on FaceBook at the Summit Heights Fellowship page; facebook.com/summitheightsfellowship/ Services will be followed by a casual fellowship and BBQ at Lake Hawkins; 3143 CR 3420 Hawkins, TX 75765. Sunset and bonfire will be part of these festivities, since she made sure to tell us she would be helping to paint those sunsets. A celebration of life service will be also be held in Minnesota on Sunday, June 27th from 4:30 - 6:30 at the Cremation Society of MN; 7110 France Avenue south; Edina, MN 55435. This will be an open house style gathering, with a brief remembrance and prayer service at 6pm. Be on the watch for bowls of peanut m&ms - her favorite candy. In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made to Summit Heights Fellowship Kid Venture Program (2340 FM-2869 Hawkins, TX 75765), CaringBridge, or the READ program therapyanimals.org. Book of Stories with Forced Joy Project here: https://www.forcedjoyproject.com/story-submissions