Ernest H. Knight

Ernest Hubert Knight, age 73 of Starbuck, died Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at the Glenwood Retirement Village in Glenwood. A memorial service celebrating Ernest will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24th at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Brooten. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will be at a later date at South Lake Johanna Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Brooten. 

Ernest Hubert Knight, known affectionately as Ernie to his friends and family was born on September 17, 1950, in Splendora, Texas. Ernie was the beloved son of Ernest William Knight Jr. and Ruby Mae (Burrows) Terrell. His early years in Texas laid the foundation for a life characterized by hard work and a deep love for family. After graduating from Splendora High School, Ernie was united in marriage to Linda Griffen. Together, they welcomed four children, Terry, Boo, Shane and Leah. The couple later divorced.

Finding companionship once again, Ernie married Darcy Simmonds, and they were blessed with three children, Waylon, Crickette and Creighanna. They made their home near Brooten before they divorced.  

Love was not finished with Ernie, however, and he found it anew with Jeanne (Tietz) Mithaugen. Their marriage on October 2, 1998, was a testament to the joy they found in each other. They settled on a farm near Starbuck, sharing 19 beautiful years together until Jeanne's passing on February 8, 2018.

Ernie's professional life was as full and varied as his personal life. After some time working in the oil fields, which allowed him to see the world, he settled into a career at WASP in Glenwood. There, he dedicated 23 years as a painter/grinder before retiring. Outside of work, Ernie's passions were many. He relished the simple pleasures of hunting, fishing, golfing, and bird watching. His thick southern drawl, a remnant of his Texan roots, was as distinctive as his kindness. Ernie was a gentle soul, a hard worker, and a loving family man. He died Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at the Glenwood Retirement Village in Glenwood.

Ernie's legacy is carried on by his sons, Terry (Mary) Knight, Ernest "Boo" Knight, Shane Knight, and Waylon (Brandi) Knight; his daughters, Crickette Knight and Creighanna (Casey) Knight; and his 18 grandchildren: Nikki, Callie, Jaret, Taylor, Ty, Shyann, Blake, Desiree, Gracie, Aubree, Skylar, Rorri, Lexi, Emmett, Briella, Hazel, Sophia and Austin; 12 great-grandchildren: Landen, Zoey, Kenzi, Chevy, Ryder, Oliver, Elizabeth, Ben, Gabe, Autumn, Kobi and Brandon, who brought him immeasurable joy. He is also survived by his brothers, Billy, Clint, Jeffery, and Berry Knight, along with many nieces, nephews, and a circle of friends and his special cat, Betsy.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Jeanne, his daughter Leah, grandsons Masen and Rextin, sister Patricia Brunson, brother Heath Knight, and ex-wife Linda.

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