Elizabeth Jean (Forberg) Ernest
Elizabeth Jean (Forberg) Ernest, 86, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Betty was born on December 19, 1937, to Ralph Edward and Esther Marie (Weber) Forberg. Betty had light blue eyes and a headful of such heavy, foot-long curls the pediatrician ordered her hair cut to alleviate her of headaches. Betty grew up sharing an idyllic childhood and close bond with her “Titter,” Joan. The girls were raised in Fond du Lac on old Military Road in a house filled with music, mostly Polka, by doting parents who wanted nothing more than a family. Ralph was a machinist from G&L, and Esther was a housewife who knitted baby socks. Betty spoke fondly of her time growing up as a child roller skating with pom-poms on skates, taking special train trips to Milwaukee with sweet Grandpa Peter to the story we all heard when Betty protected her big sister from the neighborhood bully who would not let them walk home safe from school. Betty was the ultimate caregiver to everyone she met throughout her life.
After graduating from St. Mary Springs Academy in 1957, Betty married Harvey J. Ernest on August 25, 1958, and remained in the Fond du Lac area raising two children, Cindy and John, keeping forever angel, Baby James, close to her heart. Betty was a devote member of St. John’s Catholic Parish for over 50 years where everyone knew her like family. Country living and her love of animals grew her extended family to include dogs, cats, horses, chickens, mink, skunk, robin, racoons, deer and geese over the years.
Betty was known for her tender loving heart with a support you no matter what the circumstance positive attitude. Some of her jobs included being a candy striper at St. Agnes, caregiver at Maple Manor, and she was a nurse working for Dr. Heller of the Sharpe Clinic most of her career. Her dedication to residents and her sense of humor was most appreciated by the nuns who easily bonded to Betty as she cared for them at St. Joseph’s Convent. She spent many years working part-time for and traveling with Madame Kuony of the Postilion.
Betty’s personality was contagious, and she was often the life of the party. No birthday was complete without her Marilyn Monroe Happy Birthday singing telegrams! If music was playing, Christmas, 50s, 60s, she loved to toe-tap and dance…one time getting wildly flung around the dance floor to The Flying Dutchman breaking her arm. Betty’s sense of adventure never left her heart where she was known to chase butterflies on minibikes, go for a hot air balloon ride with her son, John, and travel to Okinawa, Japan, to surprise him for Christmas where he was stationed as a Marine. She later journeyed to the Philippines with her granddaughter, Allison, sharing new family traditions.
In 1981 Betty passed her motorcycle class license and bought her own motorcycle. She served in the Peace Corps in 1987, and she would have stayed longer if not for malaria sending her home. Creating cherished memories with her family was so important to her that she saved her Christmas stocking knitting money she earned to take her mother and sister on a surprise trip “around the world” to Disney having the time of their lives! Betty enjoyed several trips to Mackinac Island with her daughter, Cindy, and granddaughter, Lacie, where Betty was often found sitting in the back of the library reading a book in the warm breeze that came off Lake Huron and riding the horse and buggy through town while indulging in handmade fudge.
In 1991 Betty combined her love of people with her desire to always make room for one more guest at her table by opening The White Pickett Fence, the first bed and breakfast in Fond du Lac where for 21 years she served guests from around the world: air pilots for EAA, doctors in training with long-term stays to honeymooners looking for quiet get-aways. Betty lit up the room with her infectious personality and impeccable hospitality where fresh-squeezed orange juice and homemade crepes were her guest favorites.
Betty enjoyed many hobbies from knitting, cross-stitching, and embroidery to hiking with her grandbaby dogs and looking for treasurers with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews through Hobbs Woods and Kiekhaefer Park, gardening, board games and playing cards. She loved to celebrate Christmas, and her holidays were full of tradition: painting her French door windows, making cut-out cookies with detailed icing and sugar decorations to share, passing the holiday Saran-wrapped ball…meals and get togethers were memorable, fun moments with a little bit of crazy too…but she was the family glue and always ready to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors with her outgoing personality and warm heart.
Elizabeth is survived by her beloved children, Cynthia and John John; her grandchildren, Laciebeth (Austin) and Allison; her great-grandchildren, Cole and Willow; her sister, Joan (Kielman); nephews, Michael (Julene and Joshua), David (Khristy and Erik), Brian, and niece, Mary (Nicholas, Madalyn, and Victor). She was preceded in death by her parents and her baby boy, James.
Visitation for Betty will be on Friday, November 8, 2024 from 2:30 pm- 4:00 pm at St. John’s Catholic Church (Sons of Zebedee). Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4:00 pm with Fr. Nathaniel Miniatt and Fr. Don Zerkel officiating.
Betty’s unshakeable faith and knowing to not be afraid will carry those who will forever miss but never forget her. Thank you to all family and friends, Betty’s team of doctors, nurses, Hospice, and especially her beautiful, caregiving children who kept Mom home safe until her peaceful passing. We smile knowing the joyful reunion on Betty’s heavenly arrival!