Ernest (Ernie) Daniel Nemec was born July 11, 1938, to Ernest and Bessie (Sheeley) Nemec in Pierre, South Dakota. He grew up on the family ranch eight miles north of Midland, the second of six children. Ernie attended the Pheba School in rural Stanley County through the eighth grade and completed high school in Midland, South Dakota, graduating in May 1956.

From 1956-1959, Ernie worked on the family ranch. From 1956-1965, he was a South Dakota Army National Guard member. His primary assignment was driving the unit’s commander wherever he was needed, day or night.

At age 21, on September 4, 1959, he married Laurel Isabel Merkle at the Open Bible Church in Midland, South Dakota. The Lord blessed them with five children, which multiplied to 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren throughout their 63 years together.

Ernie treasured family time and especially enjoyed it when all his kids were together. He cherished hosting family holidays, birthday meals, backyard BBQs, card nights, business meetings, and community sporting event after parties.

Ernie and Laurel owned and operated a hardware store, lumberyard, and construction business in Midland for 52 years, with a significant store and lumberyard expansion in 1992. It was a true family business -- all their children worked for them during their formative years, with their eldest son, Randy, becoming a full-time, permanent employee. Ernie took enormous pride in his craftsmanship and enjoyed passing on his skilled expertise by providing extended family, friends, and many high school and college students full and part-time work throughout his years in business.

In October 2009, Ernie and Laurel passed on the construction business to Randy, and his wife, Holly. A couple of years later, on June 1, 2011, Ernie and Laurel sold Ernie’s Building Center to their grandson, Tyler, and his wife, Angel. He was elated to see all the businesses remain in the family, retain his name, and continue flourishing throughout his lifetime.

Over the years, Ernie provided countless hours of community service and support to an abundance of local and state organizations: Midland Open Bible Church, Midland School, Midland Commercial Club, Second Century Development, Midland Community Foundation, Midland Volunteer Fire Department, Midland Community Fire Protection District, Midland Ambulance, Midland Youth Development Board, South Dakota Retail Lumberman’s Association, and South Dakota Retailers Association.

In 2001, Ernie was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Tri-State Association of Building Material Suppliers for dedicating over 40 years of service to the retail lumber industry. The South Dakota Retail Lumberman’s Association honored Ernie as Lumberman of the Year in 2003. Ernie’s Building Center was recognized as the South Dakota Retailer of the Year in 2006. Additionally, he was recognized as a friend of basketball by the South Dakota Coaches Association.

The retirement years were some of the best years of Ernie’s life! He found time to delight in daily living. He enjoyed being at home in Midland during the warm, mild months and escaping to Mesa, Arizona, throughout the winters. Ernie and Laurel forged new friendships in Arizona. Ernie loved playing cards (especially Hand & Foot), holding community homemade ice cream socials, and hosting friends and family during their warm-weather getaways.

Ernie called Midland, South Dakota, home for 84 years until he and Laurel moved to Tea, South Dakota, in July of 2022. Then, in March of 2023, due to health complications, he was transferred to Philip Health Services in Philip, South Dakota, where he remained until his death on April 2, 2023.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest & Bessie Nemec; his parents-in-law, Oscar & Helen Merkle; two sisters, Teresa McLaughlin & Sally Ehlers; and five brothers-in-law, Raymond McLaughlin, Robert Tolton, Johnny Fosheim, Don Ehlers, and Bob Evans.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Laurel, and their five children: Randy (Holly) Nemec of Midland, SD; Terry (Laura) Nemec of Dell Rapids, SD; Rick (Sue) Nemec of Hazel Green, WI; Rebecca (Robert) Thompson of Lakeville, MN; Barbara (Todd) Larson of Sioux Falls, SD. 12 grandchildren: Katey (Brian) Ortlieb of Sturgis, SD; Tyler (Angel) Nemec of Midland, SD; Chelsee (Tyler) Rankin of Murdo, SD; Jennifer Nemec of Sioux Falls, SD; Jackie (Phillip) Kuehl of Albuquerque, NM; Ben Nemec of Madison, WI; Riley Nemec of Des Moines, IA; Heidi (Nate) Bubb of Verona, WI; Ryan (Hanne) Burbach of San Marcos, CA; Josiah Thompson of Lakeville, MN; Kendall Larson of Brookings, SD; and Logan Larson of Sioux Falls, SD, and 14 great-grandchildren. Three siblings: Judy Fosheim, John (Linda) Nemec, & Tom (Theresa) Nemec. Two sisters-in-law: Verona Evans & Kathy Tolton, and two brothers-in-law: Lawrence & Ronnie Merkle, plus a host of other beloved nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A funeral service celebrating and honoring Ernie’s life will be held at the Midland School Gymnasium in Midland, South Dakota, on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Graveside rites and burial service will immediately follow at the Midland Cemetery. All are invited to join the family for a noon meal at the school gym following all services.