Ernest Riley

Ernie Riley, 91, of Two Harbors died Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Lake View Hospital in Two Harbors surrounded by his family.

He was born on January 27, 1924 to Joseph and Eda (Allert) Riley in Knife River where he grew up, attending the country schoolhouse in Larsmont.  Ernie left school early to enlist in the U.S. Army.  Ernie served in the Battle of the Bulge where he was injured by a mortar round.  He then had to play dead while German troops walked around him.

Ernie worked as a carman on the DM &IR railroad in Two Harbors until Black Friday.  He then was employed by the BNSF railroad in Superior and Minneapolis until his retirement.  Even after retiring from the railroads, Ernie worked as a delivery man and bagger for the Co-op grocery store.

Ernie was a fixture at many Two Harbors athletic events and enjoyed walking all around town and smoking his pipe.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Delinda; daughter, Wendy Wilkinson; and sisters, Gertrude Hietala, Virginia Olson, and Aggie Luoma Rafn.

Ernie is survived by children, Carol (Mike) Overby of Hoyt Lakes, Janet (Dennis) Wagner of Two Harbors, Bonnie (Mike) Anderson of Jasper, TX, Bob (Sue) Riley of Two Harbors, Kelly Riley of Two Harbors, Ann Marie (Mike) Prestidge of Two Harbors, and Michael Riley of Two Harbors; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 1 PM until the 2 PM funeral service on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Cavallin Funeral Home in Two Harbors.