Ernest Chrtt, age 79, of Canby, MN passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021 at Galeon Senior Living Center in Osakis, MN. Memorial service will be held 10:00am on Monday, January 3rd at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Canby, MN. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5pm on Sunday, January 2nd at the Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel in Canby with a prayer service at 5pm. Burial will be at the Bohemian Cemetery, rural Canby, MN.
Ernest LeRoy Chrtt Jr. was born September 14, 1942 in Canby, Minnesota to Ernest and Grace (Ullmann) Chrtt. As a child he was raised on the farm that his grandparents established when they came over from Czechoslovakia. He was baptized and later confirmed at Zacchaeus Lutheran Church in Canby. Ernie went to a country school about a mile and a half from his house until 8th grade and then he graduated
from Canby High School in 1960. While in high school he was a member of the FFA. Ernie married Karen Kae Steffen on February 15, 1964 at the Swedish Mission Church near Astoria SD. Together they farmed southwest of Canby until 2007, where they retired. Ernie enjoyed farming, but still found time to find other passions. One of his loves was stock car racing. His number was 007 – The James Bond Special. Even after actually racing, that love never died. He would watch races on TV every chance he got. Ernie was also on the Bohemian Hall softball team, deer hunted and fished. He would enjoy a beer or two at either Hamm’s 4 Corners, the Bohemian Hall or the Marble Store. Ernie spent 42 years as Treasurer of the Fortier Township Board. He was a member of ZCBJ Lodge and Porter Town & Country Association. He enjoyed helping out at the Porter Sale Barn, and then when it moved to Canby he helped Clem and Darrell Regnier. He also helped them by doing custom farm work and helping out with their auctions. He also worked with his longtime friend, Larry Anderson, pouring concrete for many years.
Ernie is survived by his three sons: Troy (Rhonda Blais), Watertown SD, Terry, Fairfield, IL and Alan (Renae) Boyd, MN, one daughter, Lynn (Daryl) Dirkes Avon, MN; 9 grandchildren: Heather Chrtt, Frankie Chrtt, Jacob Chrtt, Colton Chrtt, Dakota Chrtt, Shy Chrtt, Matthew Chrtt, Peyton Dirkes and Presley Dirkes, and 4 great grandchildren: Ronan Jesz, Camryn Chrtt, Camdyn Bailey and Josiah Chrtt; brothers-in-law: Kenneth Goetsch, Gary Steffen, Jerry Fischer, Steven Haney; sisters-in-law: Donna Olson, Pat Haney, Char Steffen, Carol Steffen and many nieces and nephews. Ernie was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Karen; his parents, Ernest & Grace Chrtt and his sister, Leyla Goetsch.
