Ernest "Ernie" J. Gerhard, age 85, passed away Friday, March 30, 2018, in Omaha.

Ernie was born to August and Cornelia Gerhard in Omaha on March 19, 1933.Ernie was a passionate storyteller, writer, and musician. He graduated from Creighton Prep High School in 1951 and attended college at Omaha University before he was drafted by the United States Army to serve in the Korean War.After completing his military service, he had a distinguished career in the insurance industry first at Mutual of Omaha and, for twenty-four years, at Physicians Mutual in the Government & Industry, Policy Approval, Conservation, and Marketing divisions.He retired in 1995.

Ernie married the former Deanna Pearl McGee in 1969 and they adopted a son, Kurt, into their family in 1973. Ernie was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and cousin.
His faith was the foundation of his life and he lived it out in service to his neighbors. He joined the Episcopal Church in the 1960s and was an active member of several churches before joining St. James Episcopal Church with his family in 1977. He shared his many talents with the St. James community including singing in the choir, as the acolyte master, and on the Vestry including a term as Senior Warden. He heard a call to ordained ministry and was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church in 1989. He served at St. James in Fremont and at All Saints' Church in Omaha.

He inspired many people with his faithful engagement in community including his son who is an Episcopal priest serving in Washington, D.C.

He is survived by his wife, Deanna Gerhard of Omaha, son, Kurt Gerhard and his fiance Jennifer Lee of Washington, D.C., brother Charles and his wife Jane of Leshara, special friends Marilyn and John Mitchell, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Cornelia Gerhard.

Ernie was a member of American Legion Post #1 for over 60 years.

Please visit www.duganchapel.com to leave an online condolence.

Memorials may be directed to St. James' Episcopal Church in Ernie's memory.

A service celebrating Ernie's life will be held at St. James' Episcopal Church in Fremont on April 14 at 11:00 A.M.