Courtney W. "Doc" Ernst

HAMILTON - Courtney W. "Doc" Ernst, 95, of Hamilton went to be with his Savior, Jesus on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. He passed away at Valley View Estates in Hamilton. - Courtney was the eldest of four sons born to Erich Arthur and Ann (Boese) Ernst on August 31, 1918 in Buffalo, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm and one of the things he did enjoy was when it was time to gather and cook the maple syrup.
- Courtney was raised and educated in Minnesota. After his schooling, Courtney took courses in animal health and nutrition and a veterinarian correspondence course.
He married Harriet Anderson on November 25, 1939 and together they had 5 children. In the 1940's, Courtney did logging and trapping to provide for his family.
Courtney and Harriet moved to Missoula in 1966. They came on vacation and fell in love with Montana. He volunteered with the Search and Rescue and was also a reserve deputy. Courtney was a very active member of the First Lutheran Church and loved singing in the choir. He was a District Manager for Standard Feeds and with his knowledge he helped many ranchers save their cattle from disease.
- Courtney retired to Hamilton where he continued his enjoyment of hunting and fishing. He learned to play the accordion by ear when he was a young man and played with the Five Valley Accordion Association. Doc also played at the Hamilton Senior Center. He was also very active with his church in Hamilton. Doc and Harriet were able to celebrate 50 years of marriage before her passing.
- Doc married Phyllis Roney on February 22, 1990. Together they volunteered with the Bitterroot National Forest Service. During the winter months, they liked to travel to Yuma, AZ where Courtney played the accordion in the jam bands.
- Doc was preceded in death by his first wife, Harriet; his daughters, Elizabeth and Heidi Ernst; his grandson, Dustin Ernst; and 3 brothers. He is survived by his wife Phyllis of Hamilton; 2 sons, Douglas (Gayle Dahl) Ernst of Stevensville and Kevin (Karen) Ernst of Hamilton; his daughter, Linnea (Steven) Stiff of Missoula; 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
- The family suggests that memorials be made in Doc's name to the Grace Lutheran Church Music Program. The family would like to thank the staff at Valley View Estates for their compassionate care.