Ernest Charles Des Jardins, 88

Ernest Charles Des Jardins, "Ernie" as we called him, peacefully passed away at North Valley Hospital on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008.

Ernie was born in Shell Lake, Wis., on Jan. 16, 1920. He was one of eight children.

Ernie met his future wife, Doris, in high school. After high school Ernie went to Flint, Mich., where he worked as a supervisor of the machine guns and large artillery at the AC Spark Plugs Factory, for the U.S. War Department.

In January of 1941, he went into the service. He was first lieutenant in the Armored Force Tank Division at Fort Knox.

He married his childhood sweetheart, Doris, on June 28, 1941. They shared 67 wonderful years together. Ernie had two children, Nanatte and James.

After being discharged from the service, he moved back to Shell Lake, where he owned and ran a meat market and farm. Then in 1963, he packed up his family and moved them to Woodland Hills, Calif. It was there he worked as a real estate agent and then as a postal worker.

In 1984, Ernie retired from the post office and moved to Coram to raise his grandson and help his son with his business.

Ernie's biggest joy in life was his wife Doris and his family. He has left us behind with a lot of wonderful memories. Ernie had a kind spirit that has touched the lives of many people, and he will be dearly missed.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nanatte Marie Phipps.

Ernie leaves behind his wife, Doris Des Jardins, of Coram; his son, James Des Jardins, and wife, Norma, of Troy; a grandson, Darin Phipps, and wife, Kristine, who reside in St. Augustine, Fla.; granddaughter, Kari Saadi, and husband, Sean; and three great-grandchildren, Nick and Kean Saadi, both of Kalispell, and Brandin Phipps.

No services are planned at this time.