GREENWOOD
Mary Ann Ernsting, 85, passed away peacefully at home, December 4th in Greenwood, Indiana. She was born on April 11th, 1938, to Pearl (Koegel) and Elmer Wilkens in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mary Ann was a proud graduate of Fort Wayne South Side High School where she participated in numerous activities including choir, madrigals, and Girl Scouts but it was her work as editor of the weekly school paper that made her the most proud. She went on to attend Indiana University, where she pursued a BA in elementary education. While at IU, Mary Ann was a member of Chi Omega sorority and participated in the Oceanides synchronized swim club, modern dance workshop, Arbutus yearbook, Little 500 Mini, and Panhellenic. In 1960, she graduated and married Jack Ernsting. Over the course of their marriage, the couple lived in Wichita, Kansas; Wahiawa, Hawaii; Madison, Wisconsin; and Wakkanai, Japan, as Jack served as an officer in the Air Force. Eventually, they settled in Greenwood, Indiana in 1971.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband Jack, daughter Dr. Kriss Ernsting Bowes (Andrew), and grandchildren Daniel, Katie, and Erik. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marty.
An organized leader, Mary Ann was active in the various officer wives’ clubs, Tri Kappa, and AAUW, IU Alumni Clubs. She was a Girl Scout troop leader at every level, Neighborhood Chairman in multiple locations, and served on the Hoosier Capital Girl Scout Council Board, receiving many awards along the way including the Thanks Badge and Silver Bowl. Mary Ann taught first aid, swimming and adapted aquatics with the Red Cross. At Southport Presbyterian Church she contributed to Bible Studies, choir, madrigals, served as an elder, collaborated with the community theatre program as a producer, and taught as a charter teacher in the first few years of the SPC school. She volunteered for the Pan Am Games, United Way, tutored adults in reading and English language. She spoke Spanish and Swedish (self-taught) after the family hosted Swede Svante Gustafsson as a high school student.
Her intelligence, grit, and Christian faith served her well as a two-time breast cancer survivor.
Mary Ann was a perpetual learner and teacher. Dans Norden and Die Fledermauschen Tanzgruppe, Scandinavian and German dance groups respectively, benefited from her dancing skills. She loved reading – especially American history and westerns, swimming, horseback riding, watching her daughters’ and grandchildren’s music and sporting events, any IU Hoosier sports team, and the Green Bay Packers. She and Jack explored Asia, Europe, Scandinavia, and they especially enjoyed mule/horse trips down the Grand and Arivaipa Canyons. Her Christian faith and family were the most important facets of her life. May she rest in the peace of Jesus Christ forever.
The family is grateful to the staff of Community Hospital Hospice and their compassionate care as well as the local neighbors for their above and beyond assistance and love.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 16th from 11-1 pm at Mt. Auburn Church, Stones Crossing campus, followed by a service at 1 pm at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Southport Presbyterian Church, Mt. Auburn Church, or Wheeler Mission. Arrangements entrusted to Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service &Crematory.
