Ernest L. “Ernie” Anderson, 63, of Woonsocket and former Sanborn County deputy sheriff, died Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 19 from 5-7 p.m. at the Woonsocket School Gym, followed by a Masonic Service at 7 p.m., and the funeral service at 7:30 p.m. Cremation will follow this service.
Ernest Lyle Anderson was born May 8, 1953, to Palmer and Gladys (Espeland) Anderson in Mobridge. He grew up on the family farm north of Glenham. Ernest attended grade school at Wayside and Rabenberg county schools and Mobridge High School. He played basketball in his senior year, and the team went to state. Ernest was the tallest basketball player in the state of South Dakota. Ernest was baptized and confirmed at Norway Lutheran Church in rural Glenham.
Ernest married Patty Beyerle on Nov. 16, 1977, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge.
He started his career in law enforcement by working as the weekend cop in Herreid. In 1985, Ernest and his family moved to Webster, and he worked as a city patrolman there and in Waubay. He also worked for the John Deere Implement dealer. In August of 1991 they moved to Woonsocket, and Ernie was hired as the Deputy Sheriff of Sanborn County and worked for 20 years. During the interview, he told Sheriff Tom Fridley that he did have a disability, he was a “little short.” Throughout those 20 years, Ernest was noted to be good with kids, he gave people chances, he was patient and understanding, he was hard-working, putting in 60-hour weeks without complaining, and he was liked by everyone. He became known as “Big Ern.”
Ernest was also a member of the Masons, an EMT, County Coroner, Director of Emergency Management, Civil Defense, volunteer firefighter, dog catcher  and a member of the Huron SWAT team. He helped with law enforcement at the South Dakota State Fair and worked with law enforcement at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for nine years.
Because of a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, he took an early retirement in 2012. As the Parkinson’s caused more disability, Ernest never lost the desire to do more. He enjoyed helping his brother, Bud, with the fall harvest. Ernest will be remembered for his humorous Christmas letter, which everyone waited for during the holidays. Ernest was a member of the Letcher Community Church. He will be missed by all.
Ernest is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patty; his daughter, Diedra (James) Grosz; two granddaughters; his siblings, Lorraine Anderson, Bud (Janice) Anderson, Liz (Doug) Arndt, and Dale (Francis) Anderson; his uncles, Marvin (Beverly) Espeland and Teddy (Ruth) Anderson; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Tom Fridley and Loren Odland.
He was preceded in death by his brother, LeMoyne; his parents; and grandparents.
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