Ernest Cornell
Ernest Lee Cornell, 87, of Fort Dodge, died Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at under hospice care at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. Service will be 10:30 AM on Saturday June 29, 2024, at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the VFW Post #1856 and the Iowa Army National Guard. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of services on Saturday at the Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Ernest Lee Cornell, the son of Jess and Birdie (Clark) Cornell, was born August 9, 1936, in Willmar, Minnesota. Ernie enlisted into the United States Army on March 30, 1955, and was served with the 552nd AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion. He received his honorable discharge from the Army on April 2, 1958, and continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve. After his time in the military, Ernie married Sandra Diane Isaacson and the couple made their home in Fort Dodge. Sandra died on Feb 26, 1976, at the age of 37. Ernie later married Sylvia Spirek Eckman and together they made their home in Fort Dodge. Ernie worked at the Chantland MHS Company in Humboldt as a welder for over 30 years.
Ernie enjoyed drinking beer at the West Side Tavern and at Pee Wee's Pub. He enjoyed fishing on the Des Moines River and in Minnesota. Ernie was a great cook and enjoyed gardening and traveling.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; daughters Lacinda Nafe of Humboldt, and Rachel Zinkin of Fort Dodge, son Rusty Cornell of Portland, Oregon, and a stepson Russell; grandchildren Autumn Brown of Fort Dodge, Pat Hogan of Fort Dodge, Damon Kruse of Louisiana, Shawn Nafe of Mason City, and Colton Hogan; and a great grandson River Casey. Ernie is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sandra, son Robert and a daughter Darlene.