Ernest Eugene Seagren

Ernest Eugene Seagren
July 4, 1922 – December 1, 2018

Ernest Eugene Seagren passed away peacefully in his home on December 1, 2018 in the company of his family. He was an amazing man who is, and will be, greatly missed but his spirit will continue to live on through his family and congregation.

Ernie was born July 4th 1922 at his home, a farm in Pomeroy, Iowa. He was the eldest of three children. His father, Elger, was a farmer and Ernie helped on the farm often. During his youth, he would walk a mile each way to and from school – a one room schoolhouse that taught all ages through eighth grade. He continued his education at Pocahontas High School where he first met his loving wife, Bernice.

Throughout his adolescence and adulthood, Ernie grew to be fascinated by electricity and wanted to learn more about it. After graduating high school in 1939 he took a correspondence course in electronics before serving three years with the United States Air Corps Signal Corps. He served in the 595th Signal – Aircraft Warning Battalion and served both in the states and overseas.

After Ernie’s service to the country, he enrolled in Iowa State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, after which he moved to California to work for North American Aviation (Rockwell international). He worked thirty-two years before finding retirement in 1981.

He and Bernice reconnected in 1950 and were married that October. They were profoundly happy together and went on to adopt four wonderful children, Steven, Cynthia, Scott and Sally. He took his family on many travels across the United States and he and Bernice traveled to thirty-eight countries together as well. One of his favorite quotes was that of Hans Christian Anderson, “To travel is to live”.

Ernie was an incredibly generous individual, donating to several charities. His love and devotion for our lord and his church were a top priority to him. He loved to volunteer at Rolling Hills Covenant Church and did so happily for seventeen years.

The Son of Egler and Eivor, Ernie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Leona Bernice, his brother Bernard Richard, his eldest son Steven Eugene and his granddaughter Alexis Nichole. His legacy lives on through his sister Louise Hilma Christianson and her family, his children Cynthia, Scott and Sally Seagren, his grandchildren Chuck, Justin, Scott, Thomas, Melissa, Tyler, Shaylyn, Kasey and Tawny, and his great-grandchildren Jacob, Nathen, Ryker, Mackenzie, Konner, Kole, Brayden, Makailyn, Evan, Damen and Riley.

Our family couldn’t have asked for a better father, grandfather and role model. He shared with us his wisdom, his memories and his remarkable personality, a true inspiration. May he rest in peace and once again meet with the love of his life, Bernice.