Walter Ernest “Ernie” Misialek (91) of Grand Forks, ND, passed away in his home surrounded by family on August, 24, 2021.
Ernie was born on June 15, 1930 on a farm near St. Thomas, ND, the son of Walter and Christina (Marynik) Misialek. He graduated from Minto High School in 1948 and married Rose Lizakowski on June 25, 1951 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Minto, ND. Rose and Ernie just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, surrounded by more than 100 friends and family members.
Just like his father, Ernie was employed at Bjorneby Farms in Grafton, ND. He worked there for 67 years before retiring and moving to Grand Forks with Rose. Everyone always appreciated when Ernie had a bag full of the valley’s best red potatoes or a mason jar of his scratch potato soup to offer. Farming, faith, and family fulfilled his days. For fun, Ernie enjoyed listening to classic country, casino visits, scratcher and lottery tickets, and a snifter of brandy. In his final days, his sons and grandchildren brought Ernie scratchers (and a bit of E&J), while country played in the background. Ernie had a smile on his face while he double checked the cards to make sure no winnings were missed before returning to his rosary beads, which were always safely tucked away in his pocket.
Ernie is survived by his wife Rose and 8 children (all with “M” names): Mark (Debbie) of East Grand Forks, MN, their children Jason, Shauna, Jeff, Jared, and their grandchildren Dylan, Damian, and Alexis; Marla (Steve) Deerly of Poulsbo, WA, their sons Jeromy and Brett; Mitch (Patrice Koble) of Minto, Mitch’s daughter Amanda (Justin), granddaughters Juliana and Livvie; Melaine (Paul) Shephard of Boise, ID, their sons Trevor (Laurel), Colby, Zach, and grandson Everett; Matt (Vickie) of Grand Forks, their children Curt (Piper), Katie, and Elizabeth, and grandsons Riel and Nolan; Miles of Minto; Merlin (Kristen) of Vadnais Heights, MN, their children Ben and Alli; and Mike (Pam) of Glyndon, MN, and their children Colton, Mallory, and Sean. Ernie is also survived by 6 siblings: Jack (Paulette); Cec (Dave) Lambeth; Joanne Campbell; Jerry (Ellen); Greg; Chris (Jane); his sister-in-law Gen; and many nieces and nephews and their children.
At the Pearly Gates, he had many waiting for him, including his parents, sister and brother-in-law Kathryn and Al Holten, brother-in-law Bill Campbell, sister-in-law Sharon (Greg), brother Leo (Gen), and two infant brothers.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto, ND. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 AM on Saturday at the church. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. The service will be livestreamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home Inc. Facebook page.
Ernie was born on June 15, 1930 on a farm near St. Thomas, ND, the son of Walter and Christina (Marynik) Misialek. He graduated from Minto High School in 1948 and married Rose Lizakowski on June 25, 1951 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Minto, ND. Rose and Ernie just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, surrounded by more than 100 friends and family members.
Just like his father, Ernie was employed at Bjorneby Farms in Grafton, ND. He worked there for 67 years before retiring and moving to Grand Forks with Rose. Everyone always appreciated when Ernie had a bag full of the valley’s best red potatoes or a mason jar of his scratch potato soup to offer. Farming, faith, and family fulfilled his days. For fun, Ernie enjoyed listening to classic country, casino visits, scratcher and lottery tickets, and a snifter of brandy. In his final days, his sons and grandchildren brought Ernie scratchers (and a bit of E&J), while country played in the background. Ernie had a smile on his face while he double checked the cards to make sure no winnings were missed before returning to his rosary beads, which were always safely tucked away in his pocket.
Ernie is survived by his wife Rose and 8 children (all with “M” names): Mark (Debbie) of East Grand Forks, MN, their children Jason, Shauna, Jeff, Jared, and their grandchildren Dylan, Damian, and Alexis; Marla (Steve) Deerly of Poulsbo, WA, their sons Jeromy and Brett; Mitch (Patrice Koble) of Minto, Mitch’s daughter Amanda (Justin), granddaughters Juliana and Livvie; Melaine (Paul) Shephard of Boise, ID, their sons Trevor (Laurel), Colby, Zach, and grandson Everett; Matt (Vickie) of Grand Forks, their children Curt (Piper), Katie, and Elizabeth, and grandsons Riel and Nolan; Miles of Minto; Merlin (Kristen) of Vadnais Heights, MN, their children Ben and Alli; and Mike (Pam) of Glyndon, MN, and their children Colton, Mallory, and Sean. Ernie is also survived by 6 siblings: Jack (Paulette); Cec (Dave) Lambeth; Joanne Campbell; Jerry (Ellen); Greg; Chris (Jane); his sister-in-law Gen; and many nieces and nephews and their children.
At the Pearly Gates, he had many waiting for him, including his parents, sister and brother-in-law Kathryn and Al Holten, brother-in-law Bill Campbell, sister-in-law Sharon (Greg), brother Leo (Gen), and two infant brothers.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto, ND. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 AM on Saturday at the church. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. The service will be livestreamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home Inc. Facebook page.