Leopold “Leo” Ernst, 83, Casselton, ND passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Villa Maria Nursing Home, Fargo, ND.

   Leopold Ernst was born on January 1, 1937 in Poland to Adolf and Emma (Haumann) Ernst.  He moved with his family to Germany in 1945.  Leo moved to the United States in 1952 with the sponsorship of the Leonard Lutheran Church.  Leo enlisted in the US Army.  In 1960, Leo married Jean Driscoll and had 5 children.  After his honorable discharge Leo was employed by Grant Mattson and RD Offutt as a parts manager for 45 years.  This is where he was given the nickname “Kraut”, which stayed with him his entire life.  He retired in 1999.  In 1979 he married Diane Schmidt Mitchell and in October they celebrated their 40th Anniversary.

   Leo, as a young man, was an expert roller skater, which he won many awards.  He was also an avid NDSU Bison football fan.  He was the Assistant Fire Chief for the Casselton Fire Department and in the early 1980’s helped rejuvenate the Casselton Golf Course.

    Leo is survived by his wife Diane, of Casselton, children Tony (Stacey) Ernst, Tracey (Kevin) Kloster, Jim (Sheri) Ernst, Tim Ernst, and Mary Jo Ernst, step-children Dan (Alysia) Mitchell and Debbie (Brad) Bartholomay.  Other survivors include his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters Eugenie (Jean) Sedelmaier, Wilhelmina “Mina” Zaudtke, Emma LaPlant, Erna Farney, and Ursula DeSiervo.

   Leo was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edward and Robert, sisters Olga Buschmann and Frieda Strahl, and step-son William Mitchell.

Thank you so much to Villa Maria in Fargo for the expert and loving care he got in his over 6 years there.  Also to Hospice of the Red River Valley for his end of life care.

In Lieu of flowers memorials can be sent to Martin’s Lutheran Church, Casselton or to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

The family would like people to dress in their Bison attire for the Prayer service.

Visitation: Friday, February 7, 2020 from 5-7 PM at the West Funeral Home, Casselton.

Prayer Service: Friday, February 7, 2020 at 7 PM at the West Funeral Home, Casselton. 

Memorial Service: Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 10:30 AM at Martin’s Lutheran Church, Casselton.

Military Rites: Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Martin’s Lutheran Church following the service.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com