Ernest Nicholas Frandsen passed away on Wednesday, January 18th after a sudden decline in health caused by pneumonia and cancer. He was vibrant and physically active until December 29th. At age 92, he loved to shop, read, go out to dinner with family and friends, watch movies, decorate, give See’s candy, drive downtown, buy and give flowers, visit grand and great-grandchildren, catch up on the family news and share conversation with everyone in the community. Ernie lived a long and happy life, and he will be missed by the multitude of people who had the good fortune to meet him.
Ernie was born on Easter, April 20, 1930. He met his future wife, Marilyn June Watkins, while attending Healdsburg
High School. They married in 1950 and had four children. Ernie owned The Redwood Market grocery store in
Healdsburg until 1960. Later, he owned Fred Young & Company Mortuaries in Healdsburg and Cloverdale.
Ernie retired in 1997. After he lost Marilyn in 1999, he spent his time with family, Kiwanis, church, and “the kids”
(classmates from high school). He traveled to Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, and Hawaii. He
donated generously to Jefferson Elementary School in Cloverdale, the ICF, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and many other organizations and people in the community. Ernie will be remembered for his generosity, good will, and happy attitude. He retained his sharp mental faculties and wit until the last moments of his life.
Ernie is survived by his daughters Claudia Jean Frandsen, Marjorie Ann Mielke (Roy Glassett), Elaine Marie Sutton (Mike), and Rebecca Lyn Sutton (Dave). His grandchildren Emily Austin (Josh), Amanda Gulsrud (Erik), Meagan Mielke, Samuel Mielke, Joshua Sutton (Lindsay), Tobin Sutton, Zachary Sutton (Janine), Nathaniel Sutton (Melissa), Hannah Sutton, Maxwell Sutton (Marguerite) and 13 great-grandchildren.
Ernie was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, sister Elizabeth (Frandsen) VanBuren, granddaughter Dorothy Sutton, and his parents, Ernest W. and Elizabeth Frandsen. Also, his grandparents, Minna and Charles Frandsen, who were Ernie’s greatest loving guides, role models, and inspiration throughout his life.
Ernie’s memorial will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1402 University St., Healdsburg, on Saturday,
February 4th at 11:00 a.m.
Please donate in Ernest N. Frandsen’s name to any of the charities listed below: Cloverdale Kiwanis, ICF at St. John’s Catholic Church in Healdsburg, the Healdsburg Museum, or your favorite charity that benefits children.
