Ernest William Minke age 88 of Hudson, formerly of Hammond, died Tuesday, December 20th at Region’s Hospital in St. Paul following a brief illness/fall. Ernie was born on July 15, 1923 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of William and Emma (Gabert) Minke. He was raised in North St. Paul where he attended school. As a young man he enlisted in the armed forces where he proudly served in the United States Army. He earned recognition as a Sharpshooter, and was a member of Special Forces prior to being honorably discharged as a Master Sergeant. He was a member of Golden Gloves boxing in the Army. On June 7, 1952 he was united in marriage to Fay Whaley in Wyoming, Minnesota. This union would be further blessed with seven children. He worked as a drywall taper on commercial new construction for Seamless Drywall in Golden Valley/Mpls. He was a lifetime member of the VFW, and a member of the Union, Local 61. Fay and Ernie later owned and operated the Hammond Hotel for several years and made many friends. If you knew Ernie, he was a fun loving man who appreciated the companionship of others. Whether he knew you or not, you were fair game to be ‘razzed’, joked with, or even given a nickname. He enjoyed softball and bowling, dancing with his wife, a game or two of cribbage, and cheering on the Vikings. But mostly he loved family doings, cookouts, and especially watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports and bowl.

Ernie will remain in the hearts of his children Mary Ellen (Steve), Kenneth “Putski”, Chuck (Julie), Bud, Deb, Rose, and Jojo; grandchildren Matt, Carrie, Tony, Billie Jo, Jaime (Josh), Joe (Maggie), Dan, Jenny, Bri and Aric; twelve great grandchildren;  brothers Floyd and Don (Shirley); brothers/sisters-in-law Marlene, Marion, Paul, Butch, Nancy, Carol, Randy, LuLu, and Nancy; and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Fay, and siblings Irene, Bud, Dorothy, Elmer, and Kenny.

A Celebration Of Life will be on Thursday December 29th from 4Pm until 8PM with a brief service and full military honors provided by the Hudson VFW and American Legion at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson. Private interment will be at the Oakdale Cemetery in North St. Paul, at a later date. Funeral services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson.