Harold Merlyn Ernst

Celebration of Life Live Stream Link

Sibley, IA

     Harold Ernst age 83, of Sibley, Iowa passed away on Monday, at his home surrounded by those whom he loved.

     Celebration of Life service will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, October 27, 2023, at the First Reformed Church in Sibley, with Pastor Josh Lucas officiating.

     A private burial for the family will take place prior to the service in the Holman Township Cemetery of Sibley, IA.

     The visitation will be Thursday, October 26th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the First Reformed Church in Sibley.

     Harold Merlyn Ernst was born June 23, 1940, to Harry and Sadie (Dykstra) Ernst.  Attending school at Holman No. 8 Country School through 8th grade, he graduated from Sibley High School in 1958, after which he served in the Army Reserve for 6 years.  

     Harold and Miriam Hibma were married in 1961 near Harris, Iowa.  They lived on the farm west of Sibley for 53 years, where they raised their four children.  In 2016, they moved to their home in Sibley, Iowa.

     The couple’s greatest joy was spending time with family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Harold lived the life he loved on the farm where he had the privilege of farming with both his father and his two sons.  

     He loved the Lord and willingly showed that love by helping others in many ways.  A 50-year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, Harold was heavily involved in the construction of the new fellowship hall where he also served as an elder, trustee and Sunday school teacher, having a huge impact on the lives of many young people. Later he became a member of the First Reformed Church where he was also an elder.

     Harold served on various boards in the community, including the Farmer’s Cooperative Elevator board for over 20 years.  Because he had a passion for growing plants, he built a greenhouse where he grew flowers and vegetables for sale and sharing while maintaining a huge garden.  Harold could often be found helping and visiting many elderly people around Sibley, again touching the lives of those around him in his quiet way.

     Harold is survived by Mim, his wife of 62 years, his children, Jeff (Deborah) Ernst, Sibley, Brian (Sonia) Ernst, Sibley, Lori Ernst (Paula Gruentzel), Firestone, CO, and Amy Ernst (Joel Krekelberg) Worthington, MN. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tyler (Joyce)Ernst and sons, Ezra and Zion, Katie (Eric) Fara and son, Wes, Maggie (Jake) Gisch and sons, Tobias and Greyson, Amanda (Dayton) Williamson and children, Alea, Breann, Leroy and Jackson, Trisha (Tim) Tigert and son, James, and Baby Tigert, Grace (Brendan) Waltz, and Samantha (Michael) Keninger.

     He is also survived by his sister, Anita Ernst, special cousin, Andy Greenfield, brothers, and sisters-in-law, Bob and Laurel Hibma, Wes Peters, Lois and Wayne Hasselblad, Paul and Mim Hibma, Joe and Marian Hibma, Dan and Bonnie Hibma, Judy and Lowell Dykstra, Jerry and Nancy Hibma and Steve and Lori Hibma and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

     He was preceded in death by parents, Harry and Sadie Ernst, stepmother, Tillie Ernst, sister and brother-in-law, Idella and Dennis Bredlow, mother and father-in-law, Pierce and Charlotte Hibma, sisters-in-law Suzanne Hibma and Barbara Peters and nephew John Hibma.