Ernest Edward Aarrestad

Ernest “Ernie” Aarrestad, age 92 of Brainerd passed away May 18, 2022 at the Good Samaritan Home in Waconia, Minnesota. Ernie was born in Morris, Illinois on August 13, 1929 to Karl and Lucille Aarrestad. There he lived the years of his youth along with his sister Barbara. His father remained employed as a banker through the depression. Ernie assisted the family by working at a neighborhood grocery store. Ernie was a very competitive ping-pong player with trophies to prove his prowess. He played trumpet in the band and brought it along to Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota where he earned his bachelor's degree in music education. As a junior he prayed that the Lord would provide a loving Christian wife for him. He introduced himself to Eleanore Fynskov shortly there-after, which resulted in matrimony in 1952.
After graduating from college Ernie and Ellie spent two years with the U.S. Army in Lawton, Oklahoma where Ernie was stationed with a rigorous deployment as a trumpet player, and Ellie applied her nursing skills. Children started rolling out in 1955 when Pam was born, followed by Teddy in 1957, Tommy in 1960, and Philip in 1965. His first position as a band director was in Pequot Lakes where Ernie initiated the band program. Two summers were spent in Greeley, Colorado in order to complete his Master’s Degree. His second position was in Brainerd where he taught at Franklin Junior High until his retirement. His schedule during those years was loaded to support his growing family with piano tuning and directing the Trinity Lutheran Church choir. When he could squeeze in a little time his first choice was usually to go fishing.
Once he was unburdened from the clutches of his teaching career, his golden years provided amazing opportunities to further build relationships through golf league, the Geritol Frolics, square dancing, extended travel, camping, the Florida winters, and the “Ernie and Ellie Show” entertaining duet.
Ernie was highly disciplined and inspired others around him as “a guy who get’s things done”, while at the same time always ready to yuck it up with his latest joke. He was approached often throughout his life by former students who expressed their appreciation for opening the world of music up to them. He followed closely the lives of his children and grandchildren, encouraging them and supporting them in their aspirations. Above all, he taught his family to love the Lord Jesus and was a mighty prayer warrior.
Ernie is survived by his daughter Pam and her husband Dan Borg, son Ted and daughter-in-law Jennifer, son Tom and daughter-in-law Carolyn Kuether, son Phil and daughter-in-law Kay, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Elenore, his parents Karl and Lucille Aarrestad, and sister Barbara Runestad.
A memorial Service for Ernie will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 1PM at Trinity Lutheran Church. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Vaale Cemetery.