John E. Earnest

John Edwin Earnest, 94, of Lake City, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at the St. Elizabeth Health Care Center in Wabasha. He was born May 2, 1914 in Sebeka, Minnesota to Emil and Hilda (Huotari) Earnest. He grew up on a farm near Sebeka with his three brothers and one sister. He left the farm to haul logs for the timber industry in Northern Minnesota and also worked in the copper mines in Montana. On March 14, 1944, he entered the U.S. Army at Ft. Snelling and fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he earned two Purple Hearts. After recovering from his injuries, he was honorably discharged on August 4, 1945. For over 40 years he drove truck for Ace Lines as a owner operator. He married Beverly Burwell and they moved to Old Frontenac in 1969. In 2000, they moved to Lake City. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church Frontenac, the Teamsters, Lake City VFW Post 8729 and Member of The Purple Heart in Red Wing. He enjoyed fishing, trucking, working in the yard and his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly, of Lake City; 2 sons, Rick Sears of Los Angeles, Calif. and Doug (Lori) Earnest of Old Frontenac; 1 daughter, Kim (Brian Miller) Earnest of Lakeville; 5 grandchildren, Tara Possehl of Mankato and Riley and Patrick Earnest of Old Frontenac Carly and Baily Earnest-Miller of Lakeville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers; 1 sister; and 2 sons, Rusty and Michael.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Friday, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel, Lake City. A private family graveside will be held at Frontenac Cemetery. Memorials preferred to American Cancer Society or the Dementia Society.
Military Rites will be by Lake City American Legion Post 8729 and VFW Post 110.