ERNEST LLOYD WAHLEN
March 5, 1925 ˜ November 20, 2020
Ernest Lloyd Wahlen went to sleep in the Lord Nov. 20, 2020. He was born March 5, 1925, to Joel and Mabel Wahlen in Pope County, MN, at home. He was the youngest of six children, all of whom have preceded him in death. Ernie grew up on the farm and his family faithfully attended their local SDA church. After high school, in 1942, he moved to Lincoln, NE, to attend college, where Ernie met his first wife, Leona, on a blind date. They were married a few months later in 1950.
He began working at Elgin repairing watches while taking night classes in mechanical engineering at the University of Nebraska. It was during this time Debra and Brenda were born. In 1958, with encouragement from Leona’s sister, Edna, the family moved to Portland, OR, where Clinton was born. They divorced eight years later.
Ernie moved to Vancouver, WA, and started working for the Oregon Conference selling books. One day, he met Wanda and they were married in 1982, and enjoyed their extended families.
Ernie was active serving as an Elder in the Hazel Dell SDA church. He loved to sing and joined a men’s choir, His Praise. His other hobbies included mushroom hunting; he and Wanda knew all the best places to pick and would sell them to local gourmet restaurants. They also shared a successful book selling business on Ebay for many years. He made his living as a mechanical engineer and retired in 1992. Ernie took real pleasure in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who often said, ”Grandpa knows everything!”
The 38 years he spent with Wanda were the happiest of his life, and he will always be remembered for his faithfulness to his family, his love of the Lord, and, of course, his radiant smile. He was a guiding influence for many in his walk with God and will be forever in our hearts.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Wanda; children, Debra (Mike), Brenda (Eldon), Clinton (Gina); stepchildren, Christy (Mike), Rusty (Lucinda), Mike (Rhonda); and his 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
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