Joseph Allen Ernst

Joseph (Joe) Allen Ernst, age 61, of Sioux Falls died unexpectedly at his home on April 10th, 2024. A graveside memorial service will begin at 1:00 PM Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Pioneer Lutheran Cemetery, rural Baltic.

Joe was born March 25th, 1963, in Le Sueur, Minnesota to Dr. Burrell R. Ernst Jr. and Doris L. Ernst. He grew up in various places in South Dakota and Minnesota. He graduated from Lennox High School in 1981 and attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion on a music scholarship.

Joe worked in construction and as a machinist, most notably at Qualified Presort Service LLC as a machine operator and tech for 23 years.

Music was a very important part of Joe’s life. He won several awards in high school and college for his musical compositions. He was a self-taught pianist and guitarist. He also played other instruments, including French horn, organ, and the mandolin. He organized a band with friends in high school and their version of The Blues Brothers’ “Soul Man” (in full Blues Brothers costume) won first place. Their band “High Risk” went on to play at various venues and weddings for several years. The band was even selected for a “Star Search” audition but disbanded prior to the appearance date.

Jodi Klusmann, the keyboardist of the band, was Joe’s fiancée and the love of his life. She sadly died of complications from MS in 1997 before they could be married. Joe was also preceded in death by his father, Dr. Burrell R. Ernst Jr., a brother, John Ernst and a brother-in-law, Ronald Schock.

He is survived by his mother, Doris (Moe) Ernst, Sioux Falls, SD; siblings, Sarah Schock, Sioux Falls, SD; William Ernst, Minneapolis, MN; Sally Watton-Holcomb (Michael), Baytown, TX; two nephews, Gabe (Tiffany) and Aaron, three grandnieces, Riley, Madison and Madelyn, and one grandnephew, Jake.