Annette (Wilkie) Ernsting

Annette Kay Ernsting, age 82, of Fort Wayne, passed away Friday, March 1, 2024 at Kingston Health Care, Fort Wayne. Mrs. Ernsting was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on December 8, 1941 to the late Arthur W. Wilkie and Mary J. (Thorpe) Wilkie. Annette was married to Richard Walter Ernsting on August 4, 1962 in Fort Wayne. She was the past owner and president of Elegant Arts, Inc. in Columbus and Zanesville, Ohio.

Annette was a very loving and devoted wife and mother. Her faith sustained her throughout her life, especially during her last years. She loved people, all people, and found joy in serving them. She had the ability to transform lives with love, compassion and understanding. She saw the potential in people.  Friends became her friends for life, notably her classmates from Elmhurst. The first grade at Holy Cross Lutheran School, where she had been a volunteer, had a special place in her heart. Everyone will miss her.

She was the Committee Chairman for Salem Township, Delaware County, Indiana Bicentennial Celebration. She procured river front property and developed the property as a Bicentennial Township Park.  Annette was active involved in the Easter Seal Society in both Fort Wayne, Indiana and in Saint Joseph, Michigan.  She lived in many places including Fort Wayne, Muncie,  Winchester, Indiana; Saint Joseph, MI Lahore, Pakistan Columbus, Ohio Zanesville, Ohio and Saint Charles, Illinois. 

Survivors include:
Husband, Richard Ernsting of Fort Wayne.
Son, Brian Ernsting of Nashua, New Hampshire.
Daughter, Patricia (Mark) Brault of Geneva, Illinois.
Son, Kevin (Michelle) Ernsting of Sarasota, California. 
Five grandchildren including: Jasmine Lee, Adam Ernsting, Elyssa Brault, Jack Brault, and Julia Ernsting.
Annette was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Mary Wilkie; sisters, Mary Jane Archbold and Ruth Jean Hilleke; and brothers, Jack Wilkie, Paul Wilkie and Arthur Wilkie. 

Visitation and funeral services will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3425 Crescent Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visitation will take place from 9:00 - 11:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM at the church.
Burial will follow at Concordia Cemetery Gardens. Casket bearers will be Jack Wickliffe, Jack Koenig, Joe Degitz, Roger Dammeier, Ken Townsley, and David Ratajek.
Memorial donations may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

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