Ernest Carpenter "Ernie" Moden

Ernest “Ernie” Carpenter Moden passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at Mitchell County Hospital Long Term Care in Beloit, Kansas at the age of 80. He was born June 27, 1933 to Walter Lawrence and Ethel Jennie (Carpenter) Moden on the family farm in rural Trego County, Northwest of WaKeeney, Kansas. Ernie graduated from Trego Community High School with the Class of 1951 and went on to attend Fort Hays State College for two years. He was united in marriage to Henrietta Lorene Ehrichs on August 7, 1955, in WaKeeney, Kansas. To this union were born five children, Joleen, Sheryl, Eric, Lisa, and Christine. Ernie was always a down to earth, hardworking man. As a young man he started out farming on the Moden Family Homestead until 1983. In 1976, he partnered with two friends to become owners of the sale barn, WaKeeney Livestock Commission until 1981. On July 1, 1987, Ernie purchased the lawn care service, Lush Lawns, which he owned and operated until his retirement, and sale of the business, in 2013. In addition to his work, Ernie always made time to help the kids with their 4-H projects. Ernie knew how to work, but he also knew how to play. Of all his hobbies, including wood-working, landscaping, and building his own special spray equipment, golf was far above everything else on Ernie’s “Love To Do” list. A longtime member of Big Creek Golf Course, where he proudly scored a hole-in-one at the Ninth on March 28, 1997, when he wasn’t busy doing something else, you could always find Ernie at the course. In January 2003 Ernie and Henrietta became snowbirds and began traveling to Texas for a couple of months each year for golf and other activities. Ernie is survived by his wife, Henrietta of the home; son, Eric Moden and wife Juli of WaKeeney; daughters, Joleen Moden and husband Ron Bourland of Blanco, TX, Sheryl Hillman and husband Stan of WaKeeney, Lisa Moden of Whitesboro, TX, and Christine Deines and husband Dean of Austin, TX; sisters, Elene Wagner of WaKeeney, Vesta Pratt of Greeley, CO, Emily Richards of Charlotte, NC, and Anna Baker of San Antonio, TX; eight grandchildren, Matthew Bourland, Amanda Bourland, Levi Hillman and wife Audrey, Libby Kovarik and husband Wacey, Mitchell Kroeger, Alise Gosselin and husband Brandon, Molly Moden, and Miles Moden; and two great-grandchildren, Denton Kovarik, and Ryal Gosselin. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ethel Moden; sisters, Vera Cooper, and Mija Rorabaugh, and brothers, John Moden, and Walter Moden II. Ernie was greatly loved. But his life, his memories, and his ornery smile will never be forgotten. Ernie showed us that just like golf, life without bunkers and hazards would be boring and monotonous. So, Ernie played, fair weather or foul. He had some great shots along the way, and a few tough ones. Rest now Ernie, you’ve earned it, you’ve played a good round.