Ernest was born on December 3, 1925 in Pokegama township, Pine County in Minnesota. His parents were Emil and Mary (Vondrasek) Teich. He passed away on Friday, February 8, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona.
Ernest had a long career in the dairy business. He began working at the Pine City Co-op Creamery at the age of 16, and advanced to every job there until he served as Operator of the Creamery. When Land O’Lakes purchased the creamery, he became an employee of Land O’Lakes as a Dairy Representative for the last 14 years of his career. He retired in 1984.
Ernest married Evelyn Rypkema in 1950. To this union were born three children, Kevin, Sheri, and Jeffrey. Ernie and Evelyn resided in Pine City until 1994 when they retired to Arizona. Ernest loved working with ceramics and was a talented creator of many beautiful items. He also was an avid card player, enjoying playing Bridge and 500.
He and Evelyn traveled to many states, including Hawaii, as well as to Europe and Canada. He had been a member of Zion Lutheran church in Pine City and then of Eternal Life Lutheran Church in Mesa Arizona. He was confirmed at the age of 14 and served in many ways at both churches.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Mary Teich, and son Kevin. He was also preceded by his brothers, Walter, Clarence and Ervin. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Teich, siblings Rosa Marie Merz, Clinton Teich and Nina Mattkins; children, Sheri Kempke and her husband Robert, Jeffrey and his wife, Gabriele, and daughter-in-law, Victoria Teich. Others include grandchildren, Andrew Teich (Jennifer), Jaime Richards (Rudy), Ryan Kempke, Lara and Louis, and also one great grandchild, Ryden, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Eternal Life Lutheran Church, in Mesa Arizona at 11 AM on February 16th and he will be interred at Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa. Officiating will be Rev. Steven J. H. Resner, Em. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the Eternal Life Lutheran Church in Mesa.