Duane Ernster

Duane Ernster, age 53, of Yankton, South Dakota died on Friday, September 7, 2018 as a result of a boating accident on Lewis and Clark Lake in Yankton. Memorial services are 10:30 AM, on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with Reverend Jeff Otterman officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Friday, September 14 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home with a time of sharing and video tribute at 7:00 PM. Duane was born May 21, 1965 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Glen Ernster and Valon (Rice) Pochop. He spent his childhood in Mitchell, Pierre and Yankton, graduating from Yankton High School in 1984. Duane married Brenda Ishmael on May 22, 1987 and had twin girls, Jodi and Kayleen. He worked in Yankton all his life including Ellis Auto Sales, Johnson Electric, Yankton Automotive Machine, Kolberg-Pioneer, and Gehl Manufacturing. On April 18, 2015, Duane married Kathy (King) Mann in Yankton and they treasured the time they were able to spend together. Duane was a jack of all trades and could fix about anything. He loved working on motors, racing cars, and riding motorcycles, snowmobiles, and jet skis – basically anything that went fast. Duane loved watching NASCAR and cheering on his favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt Sr. He absolutely loved camping and sitting around the campfire having a beer with his friends and family. He also enjoyed fishing, swimming, boating and history, especially World War II and Korean War. Above all, Duane loved spending time with his girls, step-children and grandchildren. Duane is survived by his wife, Kathy Ernster of Yankton; two daughters, Jodi and Kayleen Ernster of Yankton; three step-children: Joey Mann (Melinda Bertrand) of Tyndall, SD, Sarah (James) Jolley of Tyndall and Collin (Kirsten) Mann of Cannon AFB; three step-grandchildren and two on the way: Mason, Emma and Liam; father, Glen (Carol) Ernster of Gayville; mother, Valon Pochop of Yankton; nine brothers and sisters: Wanda (Wes) Walter of Sioux Falls, Darin (Trish) Ernster of Clinton, UT, Brenda Scheetz of Yankton, Jason Uthe (Jenni) of Yankton, Lisa (Jim) Dewey of Sioux Falls, Tammy (Bobby) Taylor of Yankton, Theresa (Scott) McDowell of Castle Pines, CO, Lora Volk of Dallas, TX and Bobby Volk of Cincinnati, OH; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Duane was preceded in death by his grandparents; step-father, Rollie Pochop; and brother, Justin Uthe. To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.