Justus Ernst, began his journey Sept 13, 1928 and has continued onto a new journey on Jul, 9, 2018. He was born in Kassel, Germany to Gustav Ernst and Martha (Ruppel) Ernst. He was preceded in death by his wife Anneliese, brother Hermann, and his half-sister, Lissie.
Justus grew up in a war-torn country that effected his family in unimaginable ways. His father was on the Nazi\s watch list, an uncle was part of the cleansing, and his sister, Lissie, married a man of Jewish faith. Her husband was able to flee to England leaving Lissie and her son. In order to keep her brothers and parents safe she had to keep her distance. Lissie\s son was taken away to a concentration camp and, fortunately was able to return home at the end of the war. Yet, somehow Justus saw hope on the horizon.
He found his bride to be while serving a mission in Dortmund, Germany. In 1951 Justus and Anneliese Frölke immigrated to the United States to build a new future. Shortly after their arrival they married in New York. He embraced his new home with a thirst for knowledge. He wanted to be an American.
The young couple moved to Salt Lake City in 1952 where Justus worked hard to secure a future for his family. He worked at Hill Air Force base, owned his own import store, drove a taxi, and even published his own newspaper before finding his true calling within the LDS Church Translation Department.
Justus was called on a mission to Frankfurt, Germany in 1962. Justus was the entire translation department. By this time Justus and Anneliese had three daughters. What a wonderful opportunity for them to meet their families in Germany and experience the culture. This was a very special journey in all of their lives.
In his mission service he was a pioneerin German translation for the LDS church office and through his work has touched the lives of millions of members. His careful consideration to detail was evident in all of his great work.
One of his greatest achievements was to arrange an event for young church goers to meet, a German Youth Conference, Freud Echo. It brought 4,000 members from all over Europe. It included a dance festival, music festival, road shows, athletic competitions, soccer championships. There were regional meets to qualify for the soccer competition. It was a big event. They even had the BYU track team compete against the Hessian all-star team. Pres. Ezra Taft Benson was his boss at this time and his daughter Beth helped with the music and dances.
In 1966 the family returned home and Justus worked in the translation department until retirement.
In Justus' home, music was always important. Every Sunday morning the house was filled with classical music. Justus sang with the Tabernacle Choir and enjoyed his experiences traveling with it, including the time he was able to sing at the Nixon inauguration in Washington, D.C..
In 1996 Justus and Anneliese were called to serve as temple president and matron in Freiberg, Germany. Here they touched the lives of all who came to the temple. No one left their presence unaffected. It was a time of great joy.
What also brought Justus joy was education. Justus earned degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, and the University of Oklahoma. His desire to learn was a part of his everyday life and a never-ending pursuit.
Justus did not just value learning but sharing as well. He started writing a journal early in life and has written almost every day. These writings have now become our family legacy. His devotion to genealogy was ongoing and he gladly helped anyone who asked. These were his passions.
Throughout his journal you will read how Justus and Anneliese dedicated their lives to their family. He was a father who wanted to give his girls the world and in he did in many ways. His family is honored to have had such a wonderful person lead them. We are grateful for the wonderful example that he presented.
He is survived by his three daughters, Elizabeth (Ron) Densley, Carol (Kevin) Jorgensen, and Kathleen Walton. He has 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. We have all benefited from his knowledge, curiosity, his enjoyment of fine pastries, and his hearty laugh. We will miss him greatly.
Hermann Ernst was born to Gustav Ernst and Martha(Ruppel) Ernst in Kassel, Germany May 26,1927 and died Feb 23, 1945 in Guben, Poland.
Hermann preceded his brother, Justus Ernst, in death at the age of 17,while on the Russian front in Poland. His body was never recovered. It is believed that it was part of a mass burial. He never had a service to honor him and we would like to do so now, alongside his brother Justus.
This was written by Justus on July 11, 2000:
I translated the biography of my brother Hermann, which he had written between 1941 and to 1945. I had not read it for a long time and was impressed by his ability to write and all the things he had been able to do in his short life.
I have written about his childhood based on my memory, writings and photos from this time.
There was never a time that Hermann caused problems. He was an obedient child, a good student, and wonderful companion. He loved school, he even loved his time in the Hitler Jugend/Youth, in particular his part in a HJ marching band. He was confirmed in the evangelical church and was an important part in the Kassel Branch of the LDS Church. He was only a teacher, but also the first counselor to the branch president. Upon completing his apprenticeship as a carpenter, the railroad, for which he was working sent him to college. From there he was recruited by the National Labor Service and even wrote two articles for a local newspaper
He was also a poet and wrote some wonderful poems, most of them were related to the LDS Church.
He volunteered to the infantry division "Groβdeutschland'. He did this to join their band, but never had the occasion to do so. His letters tell us that he went through basic training. Upon completion, he was sent to the front to face the Russians. He was now a soldier in Hitler's boys army. In referring to his fellow recruits he refers to them as Jungens/boys. Most of them are 17 years old and most of them will be cut down by the enemy.
The preparation of this chapter on my brother Hermann has given me new insights into his life. He has been dead for 68 years. I stand in awe before him, even though he only lived 17 years he showed an unusual maturity and spiritual insights. It is hard to compare his life with that of a typical teenager. There was never a time of frivolity in his life through the war and the bombings. Even sitting in a train which normally was to be relaxing, it became very tense when attacked by enemy planes.
He must have known that he would die. He ends his biography with the sentence:
\"Instead of me, others will keep a record of my life.\"
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 14, 2018 at the Butler 1st Ward, 2700 E. Ft. Union Blvd beginning at 10 AM. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6-8 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.), as well as Saturday prior to services beginning at 9 AM. Entombment at Larkin Sunset Gardens. To share memories and condolences, please visit www.larkincares.com.
