Ernest H. Thooft

Ernest Hector Thooft was born to Ernest Joseph and Maria Virginia (Dobbelaere) Thooft on June 22, 1936 on a farm in Island Lake Township in Lyon County, Minnesota where he was raised and attended country school. Upon completion of his education, he helped on the family farm. In 1957 he started to farm in Island Lake Township of Lyon County. On April 30, 1958 Ernest married Catherine Anne Bernardy at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with 11 children and 59 years of life together. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed near Lynd, Minnesota. In 1996 they moved into Tyler, Minnesota. On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, Ernie died at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center at the age of 81 years.

Ernest was a member of St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler, and of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed farming, gardening, fishing, cards, dominos, and going to the casino. He especially enjoyed the time spent with family, creating many cherished memories.

Ernest is lovingly remembered by his wife, Catherine (Kate) of Marshall, MN; ten children, Richard (Shirley) Thooft of Prescott Valley, AZ, Jerome Thooft of Moose Lake, MN, Douglas (Brenda) Thooft of Hastings, MN, Janine (Douglas) Rassmussen of Reedsburg, WI, Edward (Susan) Thooft of Milroy, MN, Karen (John) Kraemer of Chanhassen, MN, Thomas (Susan) Thooft of Cyrus, MN, Suzanne (Robert) Kirsh of Milroy, MN, Bruce (Kimberly) Thooft of New Prague, MN, and Scott (Deb) Thooft of Lynd, MN; 22 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; six siblings, Emma Delanghe of Marshall, MN, E.R. (Agnes) Thooft of Tyler, MN, Marian (Leon) VanDenBroeke of Marshall, MN, Raymond Thooft of Lynd, MN, Mary (George) Lanoue of Marshall, MN, and Jeanette (Vincent) Lanoue of Tracy, MN; two sisters-in-law, Leona Thooft of Tyler, MN and Betty Thooft of Marshall, MN; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Christine; two brothers, Amandus and Aime; and a sister, Louise Ruud.

Blessed be his memory.