Funeral services for Ernest Lyle Solmonson, 100, will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at the United Methodist Church in Estherville with Pastor Doug Burton officiating. Interment will be at East Side Memorial Cemetery, Estherville with military rites by VFW Post #3388 and American Legion Post #91. He died Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Longhouse-Northshire Care Center in Spencer, Iowa.
Visitation will be Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Ernest Lyle Solmonson, the son of Harvey and Irene (Wickens) Solmonson, was born October 12, 1922, in Maple Hill, Iowa.
He graduated from Estherville High School in Estherville, Iowa. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II where he attained the rank of Tech Sergeant, and flew on 52 bombing missions in a B17 over Europe. Following his honorable discharge from military duty, he returned to the area.
On January 17, 1944, Ernest was united in marriage to Zella Archer in Evanston, Illinois. The couple made their home in Estherville where they worked and raised their family. Ernie was employed at P.C. Chemical Company and later, the City of Estherville for 16 years. In his leisure time he enjoyed playing golf and spending time at the lake. He was a great track athlete, holding the high hurdle record for over 50 years at Estherville High School.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Estherville and VFW Post 3388 and American Legion Post 91 in Estherville.
Left to cherish Ernest’s memory are his son, Dennis Solmonson and his wife, Renea of Lisbon, Iowa; two grandchildren, Heather Johnson of Spirit Lake, Iowa and Ryan Johnson and his wife, Anne of Spencer, Iowa; six great grandchildren, Nicholas, Parker and Hadley Hays; Alexa, Evan and Dylan Johnson and son-in-law, Wayne Johnson of Wahpeton, Iowa.
He has been preceded in death by his wife Zella, daughter, Diana Johnson, parents, two sisters, Doris and Evelyn and three brothers, Francis, Donald and Wayne.
Online condolences may be left for Ernie’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com
