Earnest Ness

April 14, 1936 - April 14, 2011

The Rev. Earnest M. Ness, 75, of Crystal Falls, MI, died Thurs. April 14, 2011 at his home. He was born on Oct. 25, 1935 in Chicago, the son of the late John and Ann (Osthus) Ness. He spent his childhood in Oak Park, IL and graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School in 1953. He went to the University of Rochester in New York graduating in 1957, and the Chicago Theological Seminary graduating in 1960. He was ordained a minister on by the United Lutheran Church in America (now the ELCA) on May 22, 1960. On Dec. 28, 1963 he married Kaaren Hagen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Evanston, IL. The couple moved to Sault Ste. Marie, MI, in January of 1964, where Earnie was the pastor at Faith Lutheran Church. In January of 1975 he became the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Gwinn, MI, and Emanuel Lutheran Church in Skandia, MI. In 1994 Earnie and Kaaren moved to Crystal Falls, where he was the pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church in Quinnesec, MI, and began working for the Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp in Crystal Falls. He worked as the site manager at the camp until 2000, and he served on the camp board, the property committee, and was a faithful volunteer. Pastor Earnie served on the Iron County Community Hospital Board. He was a master at crossword puzzles and an avid reader. He enjoyed tinkering, home-improvement projects (at home, Fortune Lake Camp, and the kids’ homes), and could often be found in his yard with a shovel in his hand. He is survived by his wife Kaaren, two children E. Martyn (Laura) Ness of Crystal Falls and Marit (Frank) Piacente of Lake Forest, CA, four grandchildren Mitchel, Carson, and Allison Ness, and Arianna Piacente, one sister Sonia (Peter Jenkins) Ness of Elk Grove Village, IL, and one nephew Kary (Julie) Warutian of Crystal Lake, IL. He was preceded in death by two granddaughters Sofia and Francesca Piacente. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9-11am at United Lutheran Church, Crystal Falls. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11am at the church. Bishop Thomas Skrenes and the Rev. Michael Laakko will officiate. Following the service, a reception will be held at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. Burial will be in Emanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Skandia. In lieu of flowers, Earnie requested that memorial contributions can be made to the United Lutheran Church, 506 Superior Ave., Crystal Falls, MI 49920; Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, 138 Fortune Lake Camp Rd., Crystal Falls, MI 49920; or Northstar Health Services Foundation, 1400 W. Ice Lake Rd., Iron River, MI 49935. Condolences to the family of Rev. Earnest M. Ness may be made online at www.nashfuneralhome.net The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.