- Born on: March 14, 1933
- Departed on: December 3, 2022
- Resided in: West Des Moines, IA
Ernest Delano Gregoire
Ernest Delano Gregoire was born in Wakonda, South Dakota March 14, 1933, to Ernest Sr. and Ida (Larson) Gregoire. Ernie was baptized on August 23,1933 at Dalesburg Lutheran Church. Ernie grew up on the family farm until he was 12 years old when the family moved to Vermillion, South Dakota. Ernie graduated from Vermillion High School in 1951. With many of his classmates he was drafted into the Army in May 1953 during the Korean War. Due to his vision handicap he was honorably discharged in February 1954.
He met the love of his life Lois Wright of Des Moines Iowa in 1954 and they were married in September 1955. To their union, they were blessed with two children. Michael Alan was born in 1958 and Dianne Ranae was born in 1961 in Wichita Kansas. Ernie was employed by Boeing as a machinist, and he helped build the wings of 707’s and later B-52 bombers as well as the Saturn 5 rocket that sent the Apollo missions to the moon.
In 1968, Ernie and Lois moved the family to Ankeny Iowa and later to Marion Iowa where Ernie enjoyed a 32-year career in the trucking business as a salesman and in terminal management. In 2021, after 48 years in Marion, Ernie and Lois moved to West Des Moines to be near their family. On December 3, 2022, Ernie passed peacefully from this world to his heavenly home.
He is survived by his wife Lois, daughter Dianne (Joe) Raftis, grandson Jon (Ashley) and great-grandchildren Jordan and Kathryn and grandson Jason, and sister-law Marilyn Gregoire along with nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Mike, brothers Ellsworth, Lowell, and Buddy and sisters Gloria Maisch and Ilene Holmes.
Ernie loved his family, his church and Hawkeye Sports, along with his beloved St Louis Cardinals.
Ernie was buried and there was a private family graveside service.
He met the love of his life Lois Wright of Des Moines Iowa in 1954 and they were married in September 1955. To their union, they were blessed with two children. Michael Alan was born in 1958 and Dianne Ranae was born in 1961 in Wichita Kansas. Ernie was employed by Boeing as a machinist, and he helped build the wings of 707’s and later B-52 bombers as well as the Saturn 5 rocket that sent the Apollo missions to the moon.
In 1968, Ernie and Lois moved the family to Ankeny Iowa and later to Marion Iowa where Ernie enjoyed a 32-year career in the trucking business as a salesman and in terminal management. In 2021, after 48 years in Marion, Ernie and Lois moved to West Des Moines to be near their family. On December 3, 2022, Ernie passed peacefully from this world to his heavenly home.
He is survived by his wife Lois, daughter Dianne (Joe) Raftis, grandson Jon (Ashley) and great-grandchildren Jordan and Kathryn and grandson Jason, and sister-law Marilyn Gregoire along with nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Mike, brothers Ellsworth, Lowell, and Buddy and sisters Gloria Maisch and Ilene Holmes.
Ernie loved his family, his church and Hawkeye Sports, along with his beloved St Louis Cardinals.
Ernie was buried and there was a private family graveside service.
