Ernie Lewis

Ernest Eugene Lewis was called to his heavenly home on Friday, Nov 8th , 2024, with family at his side at the age of 76. His battle with serious medical issues in the past few years, showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. He stayed strong and determined until the end.

Ernie was born in Ft Dodge, Iowa on Nov. 29th, 1947, to Wilson and Ione Lewis. He was the oldest of 3 children, he had a younger brother and sister. Ernie lived his entire life in Goldfield and was a graduate of Goldfield High School “Class of 1966”.

Following graduation, Ernie enlisted into the Military in 1968 and was an Army Medic stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. After returning from the war in 1969, he went to work for his dad at the family’s full-service gas station in Goldfield. It was there that he met his future wife, Pamela Buhr. His first date was a car date and they courted for 3 years until he finally popped the question. Ernie married the love of his life on May 18th, 1974. Ernie and Pam bought their first house for $1 and had it moved in from the country. They established a loving, Christian home and were blessed with 3 boys.

In 1974, Ernie bought into the family business and the name was changed from Louie’s APCO to L & L Service. Ernie started working at the station as a teenager and remained at one job his entire life. Ernie was known for helping anyone that had a car issue. He would never turn anyone away. He also had a wrecker service and had numerous stories about pulling people out of the ditch at early hours of the morning, usually in snowstorms. I am sure one of the happiest days of his career was the day he stopped doing wrecker calls. No more middle of the night phone calls! Ernie and Pam also had an engraving business for many years that they took over from Ernie’s dad. They provided many trophies, plaques, and accountability tags to numerous Fire Departments and local county Fairs and clubs. Ernie celebrated his retirement after 62 years of hard work and service. He really appreciated all the love that was shown for him and expressed many times how much that meant to him.

Ernie’s love for his community and his fellow neighbors was evident by anyone that met him. Ernie was a longtime member of the Goldfield Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school with his wife and served on numerous committees, he was a Scout Master, member of the American Legion Post 370, president and member of the Goldfield Commercial Club, and always organized the Christmas Card displays each year. He was a member of the Boone River Riders snowmobile club in the70’s.

Ernie proudly served and dedicated over 50 years to the Goldfield Volunteer Fire Department. He was instrumental in raising funds to build the Fire Department that is standing today. He followed in his father’s footsteps and was Fire Chief for over 20 years. He also served 15 years as a board member to Northwestern Area Training Academy (NATA). He and Pam enjoyed attending many fire schools with their engraving business over the years.
Next to his family, Ernie had a love for old cars or anything that moved. He owned a plane for a short time in his mid 20’s and was planning to get his pilot’s license until he started having a family. He owned a 1964 Ford Galaxy that he took to many car shows. Then most recently, he went together with his son, Adam, and bought a 1928 Roadster. Even with the demands of being a business owner, he always found time to enjoy snowmobiling and camping with his family and later in life taking up Golf. Many memories were made riding on the back of dad’s snowmobile to go over to Holmes to eat dinner at the Farmers Exchange. Ernie was always up for a good bonfire and making sure all the grandkids had homemade ice cream on their birthdays. Fishing was not one of Ernie’s successful hobbies. He always joked about the “Lewis Luck” interfering with his ability to catch a fish! If decorating for Christmas could be considered a hobby, Ernie had that on his priority list. He and Pam really enjoyed decorating the house with Christmas lights. Even when he was too weak to physically put up the lights, he was still very bossy with directing everyone on where they needed to go! Ernie loved the holiday season, and he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior. We take comfort in knowing he will be spending Christmas with Jesus this year.

Ernie is survived by his three sons: Aaron Lewis (Rebecca) of Algona, Matt Lewis (Katie) of Goldfield, and Adam Lewis of Goldfield; nine grandchildren: Cole, Sydney, Chase, Sullivan, Gavin, Alexis, Aleshia, Alaura, and Ava; great-granddaughter, Gennovia; great-grandson, Astren; sister, Nancy (Lewis) Foster (Dan) and nieces: Christine and Bethany Foster of Madison, AL and numerous nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 47 years Pamela (Buhr) Lewis; in-laws, Vern and Ester Buhr; brother, Duane Lewis, and grandson, Will Lewis.

A visitation was held on Friday, November 15, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Goldfield Community Center in Goldfield, IA. A memorial service was held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Goldfield Methodist Church, Goldfield, IA. Burial was at Goldfield cemetery following the service.

The family welcomes memorial donations, which will be used to honor the local organizations Ernie loved and devoted years of service to.