Ernie was born October 24^th, 1934, the second child of Max and Leona Hirsch of Lac Vert, SK. In his early years he worked for the Department of Highways, cutting pulp wood in Ontario with his dad, and building roads in the mountains between Jasper and Lake Louise.

On Dec. 5^th, 1959, Ernie married Elvina Ekstrand and they lived in Naicam.  In the fall of 1960, their first child Tracy was born. Ernie then ventured on to work for the National Grain Elevator, so they moved to Kinistino. In the spring of 1962, their first son John came along and that summer they then made the move to the “Ekstrand” farm, west of Melfort where they lived for the next 50 years. Ernie enjoyed farming his whole life especially when John joined after he graduated.

In March of 1971 they completed their family adding Perry to the clan. In between the boys, Ernie and Elvina took part in square dancing. They enjoyed watching the kids and grandkids play on numerous sports teams and 4-H. Ernie was involved with the snow plow club and Hi-Lite feed club. They were both busy fundraisers for the Beatty Rink and Hall and members of the Melfort Ag Society and United Church for many years.

Ernie and Elvina made the decision to retire so they made the venture into town in 2012 and enjoyed city living going to Mustang games and going for regular cruises crop checking with their “Tims” tea.

In May of 2022 Ernie started to develop health problems. First his kidneys and then his heart where he required a pacemaker. The following October, he began dialysis travelling twice a week to the city with grammas famous picnic lunches. In December we transitioned to Tisdale but still enjoyed grammas lunches while we waited in the vehicle before going in for treatment. He took this change to his health in stride, never complaining, until he made the courageous decision to stop his treatments with October 3, 2024 being his last dialysis treatment. His whole family got together and supported him throughout his journey. He lived a great life.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 65 years, Elvina.  His boys; John (Jana), their kids Brenna (Tanner) and their daughter Adley, Alanna (Cody), Landon (Shae-Lynn) and Perry. His daughter; Tracy and her kids, Jodi (Rob) and their kids Reese, Liam and Anna, Lindsay (Sean) and their daughter Gracie, Michael (Chelsea) and their son Emmett, and their dad Kelly (Kathleen) and their girls Keely and Alexa.  Siblings Louise, Joe (Jackie), and Karen (Greg) and their families. Brothers-in-law; Alden (Maxine) Ekstrand, Gordon Ekstrand and their families.  Sisters-in-law; Betty Hirsch, Annchen Bodenstab and their families.  He was looking forward to becoming a proud papa to two new great grandbabies coming March, 2025.

He was predeceased by his parents Max and Leona, siblings Louis and Mary and her husband Alan Cropper. Sister-in-law Judy Ekstrand, nephews Dennis Cropper and Todd Hirsch, niece Stacy Ekstrand, great-nephew Michael DeGirolamo.

We thank the Melfort Hospital staff, Dr. Stoll, Dr. Strydom and the Tisdale Dialysis Unit for all your support.

A Service Celebrating Ernie’s life will be held from the Melfort United Church on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM.  The interment will follow in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Columbarium.

Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to North Central Health Care Foundation, PO Box 1480, Melfort, SK S0E 1A0, or to a Charity of Ones Choice.

To leave condolences for the Family, please visit the online guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Melfort. (306) 752-3838

• Date : 2024-10-11
• Location : Melfort, SK