Ernestine Marie McFarland (Ernie) passed away on March 6, 2025, at Prince of Peace Dougherty Hospice House surrounded by her loving family.  Miller Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

A family visitation is scheduled at Miller Funeral Home West, 6400 W. 41st Street, Sioux Falls on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, with a Liturgical Wake & Rosary Service to follow at 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am, Wednesday, March 12, at St. Lamberts Church, 1000 S. Bahnson Avenue, Sioux Falls.  Interment will be at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery in Humboldt, South Dakota following the mass.

**This funeral mass will be livestreamed. Please click on the link to view the livestream of the service for Ernestine McFarland; https://www.youtube.com/@stlambertparish4964 . **

Ernestine Marie McFarland (Lewis) was born November 24, 1931, in Larchwood, Iowa, to Clyde and Eleanor Lewis,  Ernie, as she was fondly known by her friends and family, was the oldest of eight children and spent her formative years in Sioux Falls and on the family farm in Humboldt, SD.  Ernie graduated from Humboldt High School in 1949.  After graduation she attended a short teaching course at the General Beadle State College. Her first teaching assignment was at a one room school house when she was just seventeen years.  Her passion and love of teaching, especially teaching kids to read, led Ernie to teach in numerous schools throughout the United States and overseas.  She taught in both public and Catholic Schools in the Philippines, South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Texas just to name a few.  She taught for a total of 36 years.  She often wondered whether she had made a difference in her teaching life - she did!  On numerous occasions, after her retirement, former students would recognize her in public and thank her for her kindness and sparking in them the desire to excel.  Students often told her that of all the teachers in their lives, Ernie was the most admired, respected, and loved.

In 1953, Ernie joined the Women's Air Force (WAF).  When she was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, she met a young airman named Kenneth McFarland, who was also serving in the Air Force.  The two were married in August, 1954. Into, this union, eight children were born.  As a young wife and mother, military life could be stressful and chaotic. This was illustrated by the fact that her eight children were born in six different states and one foreign country.  Ernie handled it all with the precision of a drill sergeant!  She criss-crossed the states in a station wagon full of kids going to the next duty assignment and setting up a new residence and getting children enrolled in new schools almost every other year!  And of course, Ernie would get a teaching position at a school wherever Ken was assigned.  Upon Ken's retirement in 1968 , she enrolled at Sioux Fall Falls College and obtained her BA Degree in Education. She continued her service to the military community as a member of the DAV Auxiliary.

Ernie loved spending time with family and friends. Reunions and holidays were her favorite times of year.  She thoroughly enjoyed the chaos of big meals, running children, games, and lively discussion at large family gatherings. She always found the time to have coffee and keep in touch with old friends.  Family meant the world to Ernie.  She was honored as Rock County Mother of the Year in 1975.  Ernie was the keeper of the family history and it was important to her to pass that knowledge on to the next generation in order to preserve and honor the ancestry of the family.

Ernie was a deeply devout and observant Catholic.  Her faith sustained her in both the joys and tragedies of life.  Though the death of two daughters and her husband were traumatic, Ernie never wavered in her faith in the Church.  Her faith served as an inspiration to all who knew her. She was always there to lend a helping hand, a sympathetic ear, and comfort those who were suffering through their own pain and ordeals.  She was a member of the Cathedral Club and Bereavement Committee at St. Josephs Cathedral.

Ernie completed her life's journey and was embraced by our Lord on March 6, 2025, at the Prince of Peace Dougherty Hospice House.  Ernie's family would like to thank the nurses, aides, doctor, social workers, and chaplains at Dougherty Hospice House and Avera at Home Hospice for the compassionate and gentle care Ernie received during the last month of her life.  Ernie is survived by her children Ken Jr. (Brenda), Michael, Elizabeth Snow (Bruce), Jeanette Luze (Chuck), Karen Greenfield (Scott), and Patti Pannell (Steve); 24 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren; her brothers Bill and Don Lewis and her sister Mary Heron; her son-in-law Ed Reyes (Debi); and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her husband Ken; her daughters Vicki McFarland and Debi Reyes;  her son-in-law Chuck Luze; her parents Clyde and Eleanor Lewis; her sisters Janet Truex, Connie Anderson, and Carol Kuyper; and her brother Michael Lewis.