Ernest Edward Lenertz

Ernest Edward Lenertz, age 85, of Apple Valley, MN, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, on September 12, 2025. Ernest was born on November 20, 1939, on the family farm south of Karlsruhe, North Dakota, to Phillip & Catherine (Kraft) Lenertz. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Karlsruhe, North Dakota

Ernie attended his first six years in parochial school before finishing high school years at Karlsruhe public school. He graduated in 1957 and entered the US Army in February of 1958, and was honorably discharged in 1960.

Ernie married the love of his life, Marvel Borud, on December 10, 1960. At the time, he worked for the North Dakota Highway Department at Truck Regulating in Minot, ND, and later as a firefighter for the City of Minot for 12 years. Ernie was a certified Scuba Diver and a member of the Ward County Dive and Rescue Team.

In 1970, Ernie opened the business Dakota Fire Extinguisher Inc. and later added Fire Extinguishing Systems. He and Marvel owned and operated this company for twenty-two years before retiring in 1990.

His love of learning and adventure kept him traveling by motorhome or motorcycle across the US and Canada. After their retirement, Ernie and Marvel spent winters in North Fort Myers, Florida, where he worked for Rain Tree Resort. In 2005, they moved to Apple Valley, MN, to be closer to their family. Summer months were spent camping and enjoying time with family and friends at their cabin on Cross Lake. In 2015, they purchased a home in North Fort Myers, Florida, which brought them many wonderful memories, friends, and sunshine in the winter months.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Marvel; daughters, Linda (Dan) Wahl of Inver Grove Heights, MN, Brenda (Darrin) Heisler of West Fargo, ND, and Tanya (Joe) Bertrand of Inver Grove Heights, MN; grandchildren, Danielle (Connor) Navrude, Jenny (Noah) Mooney, Ethan Bergseth, Zachary Bergseth (Tulsi), Josh, Alease, and John Bertrand; great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Harper Navrude, and Luke Mooney; brothers, Robert (Carol) Lenertz, Myron Lenertz. Sisters Clarice (Darrell) Michels, Tammy Leupp; and many nieces and nephews.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Patrick; sisters, Carmilita Streeper and Marcella Zaback; brother-in-law, Gene Streeper; sister-in-law, Brenda Lenertz; nephew, Darrin Lenertz; and niece, Nadine Shaw.

A Mass will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Starkson Family ~ Anderson Chapel, 14850 Garrett Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124, with a visitation from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM.

For those that can’t attend in person, the funeral will be live streamed on the funeral home website (www.starksonfamily.com) on Ernie's obituary page.

Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

In place of flowers, memorials can be given to Feed My Starving Children or Mayo Clinic Cancer Research and Care Fund.

Starkson Family ~ Anderson Chapel in Apple Valley, MN is handling arrangements.