Richard H. Ernesti, 79, of Dodge died June 6, 2012 at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, NE. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Saturday, June 9 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Aloys with Reverend Frank Lordemann as celebrant. Burial with Military Honors follows at St. Aloysius Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 am to 8 pm Friday with public wake service at 7 pm at Stokely Funeral Home in West Point which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to St Aloysius Cemetery in Aloys. Richard Henry Ernesti was born November 11, 1932 on the family farm in Cuming County, Nebraska to Joseph and Mary (Wolff) Ernesti. He attended school at Aloys then served in the Army. On October 10, 1956, Richard married Gertrude Franzluebbers at St. Boniface Church. The couple farmed near Aloys, NE where they raised their family. He was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church and American Legion Post #155 in Howells. Richard was active with 4-H and enjoyed the county fair. He is survived by sons Don (Wendy) Ernesti of Wisner, NE and Brian Ernesti of Dodge, NE ; daughters Donna (Kurt) Brester of Dodge, Diane (Marvin) Ulrich of West Point, and Bonnie Kluthe of Kearney; mother Mary Ernesti of Dodge; grandchildren, Chad and Justine Ernesti, Matthew and Mitchell Brester, Rachel (Eric) Schulz, Russ and Amanda Ulrich and Brandon (Katie) Kluthe, Nicole Kluthe (fianc Tim O’Hara) and Cody Kluthe; great grandchildren Karter Kluthe, Kaylee Kluthe and Logan and Wyatt Schulz; brothers Alvin (Dona) of Columbus, and Gary (Dee) of Omaha; sisters Kathy (Donald) Tomka of Dodge, Elaine (John) Drey of Pasadena, TX; and sister-in-law Jean Ernesti of Lincoln, NE. He was preceded in death by his wife Gertrude, June 3, 2011; father, brothers Dennis Ernesti and Eddie Ernesti; and grand-daughter Jenna Ulrich.