Harry M. “Sonny” Ernster, Jr. of Asbury, Iowa, passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday, December 10, at Luther Manor, Dubuque, Iowa.

Friends and family may visit from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday December 15, 2024 at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, with a Memorial Service starting at 3:30 p.m. with Fr. Jim Chappell officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Linwood Cemetery in Dubuque with his parents.

He was born on December 7, 1944, son of Harry and Emma (Hinzman) Ernster. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High, class of 1963. Sonny was a member of the Iowa National Guard. Sonny did general trucking in Asbury and the surrounding area.  His trucks were a testament of how meticulous he was in everything he did. Sonny also did crop farming in Asbury where he lived his whole life.  Many people would spot Sonny sitting in his yard watching people go by.

Sonny is survived by his nieces and nephews and their families;  Billie (Bill) Schuyler, Terry (Sue) Steil, Kevin (Karen) Steil, Dion Steil, Keenan (Sue) Steil, Darren (Jenny) Steil, Denise Reeve, Duane (Tami) Ernster, Susan Ernster and his beloved cat, Babe.

Those who proceeded Sonny in death are his parents, two sisters, Gayelle (Roy) Blum, Gloria (Jerry) Steil and a brother, Deryl “Buddy” (Margaret) Ernster, numerous aunts and uncles, four nephews and one niece.

In lieu of flowers, a Harry “Sonny” Ernster memorial fund has been established in care of Leonard Funeral Home, 2595 Rockdale Road, Dubuque, IA 52003.

Sonny’s family would like to thank the staff at Luther Manor at Hillcrest, Hospice of Dubuque and especially the Memory Care Unit at Luther Manor where the staff showed lots of love and wonderful care.