Jewel Joanna Ernst

Jewel Joanna Ernst, 89, of Columbia, Mo., died on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Lenoir Healthcare in Columbia, Mo. She was born in Mineola, Mo., on March 19, 1926, to Clarence Dietrich Henry Graue and Anna Matilda Heldt Graue. Jewel graduated from Montgomery City High School in 1943. In 1946 she graduated from the Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis. She attended Park College, near Kansas City, for one year and became a registered nurse in 1947 when she began her nursing career. On May 15, 1949, Jewel married William James Ernst in Mineola. In 1977 Jewel graduated from Stephens College with a degree in health science. It was through the Stephens College program that Jewel developed a love for wildflowers. Evidence of her lifelong obsession for flowers can still be found on the Ernst family farm in Mineola. Jewel was instrumental in petitioning the Montgomery County court to hire a county health nurse. Her nursing career spanned 48 years with 26 of those years spent serving the citizens of Montgomery County through the Montgomery County Health Department and the Montgomery County Nursing Service. In the early 1980s Jewel learned to make traditional baskets. She was a prolific basketmaker, weaving more than 1,300 baskets in 20-plus years. She was a juried artist with Best of Missouri Hands and her baskets won numerous Montgomery County Fair awards. Jewel's baskets were featured in Midwest Living and in 2002, her baskets were part of a juried Christmas art show at the Missouri Governor's Mansion. Jewel was a member of the First United Methodist-Presbyterian Church of Montgomery City where she served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Jewel also served on the Montgomery Area United Way board of directors and was active in the formation of the Montgomery County Historical Society. Jewel was honored by the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce for her long-time community service. Jewel is survived by: her husband, William J. Ernst of Columbia, Mo.; three children, Will Ernst of Fulton, Mo., John Ernst (Ashley) of Harrisburg, Mo., Kara Hillman (Paul) of Wichita Falls, Texas; two grandchildren, Candace Springer (Kevin), of Niceville, Fla., Erin Hillman of Wichita Falls, Texas; and two great-grandchildren, Scarlett and Colin Springer, of Niceville, Fla. She will also be missed by her black cat, Molly, whom she loved. Jewel was preceded in death by: her parents; and two brothers, Paul Henry and Clarence David Graue. Visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, April 5, 2015, at the Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City, Mo. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 6, 2015, at the First United Methodist-Presbyterian Church in Montgomery City, Mo. The Reverend Ed Hankinson will officiate and interment will be in the St. James Cemetery at Big Spring, Mo. Memorial contributions are suggested to the First United Methodist-Presbyterian Church; The Red Cross; The Montgomery County Health Department; or to the Helen Reagan Cancer Fund; c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO 63361. Condolences may be made to www.schlankerfuneralhome.com.