PIERRE, SD – Ernest M. Barth (Ernie), 86, Pierre, died January 26, 2025, at Avera Maryhouse Long Term Care facility in Pierre. His funeral service will be held at 2:00pm, Friday, January 31, 2025 at Feigum Funeral Home. Visitation and fellowship will be held for one hour prior to the funeral from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Ernie Barth was born February 23, 1938, to Gustave and Marie (Krischenowski) Barth in Bowdle, South Dakota. He graduated from Bowdle High School in 1955. Ernie married Charlotte Geist on Groundhog’s Day, February 2, 1958. They lived in Tolstoy, Mobridge and Artesian before finally settling in Pierre in 1970 where he lived the rest of his life.

In his early years, Ernie worked as a Parts Manager for Davidson Quenzer Chevrolet, while at the same time working as a radio sign-on man at KOLY in Mobridge. He continued his work in the automotive parts business when the family moved to Pierre. He especially liked old cars and could easily tell you the make and model of each one.

Ernie served as a lay pastor in the United Methodist Church, and he felt it was an honor to be invited to the churches where he was asked to speak. He had a beautiful deep singing voice, though he never thought he was very good at singing. Ernie was proud of his German heritage; when he spoke German there was a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.

As a skilled gardener, Ernie enjoyed taking care of his yard and flowers, receiving “Yard of the Week” recognition on more than one occasion. He enjoyed taking his family on vacations and thought those were always fun times. Ernie loved his family and was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He credited Charlotte for raising their children in a Christian home and training them up for the straight and narrow path.

Ernie suffered from Parkinson’s disease and spent the last years of his life at the Avera Maryhouse Long Term care facility where he received the best care. He very much appreciated the care he received from each staff member and enjoyed getting to know each one.

So grateful for sharing Ernie’s life are his two sons: Perry (Susie) Barth of Omaha, Nebraska and Randy (Donna) Barth of Pierre; two daughters: Vicki Likness of Pierre and Patti (Mark) Broer of Colfax, Wisconsin; his six grandchildren, Jessica (Brian) McVay, Natalie Likness (Josh Schwartzkopf), Mitchell (Rachelle) Likness, Colton (Sydney) Hipple, Derek (Caiolyn Romereim) Hipple and Levi Broer; his great-grandson, Riley Likness and a future great granddaughter expected in March, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Gustave and Marie, his wife Charlotte and her parents and brother, Alvin, Anna and Rowland Geist, his siblings, Esther, Lenora and Neil and his son-in-law, Steve.

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