More detail on this person: Ernest Franklin Yaeger Ernie was born the son of Ernest & Edith Carlson Yaeger. He grew up on the family farm near Hadley, MN. Ernie graduated from Slayton High School and went on the attended South Dakota University in Brookings, SD. He joined the United States Military in 1953 and served during the Korean War flying fighter jets. On February 18, 1957 he and his high school sweetheart Marion Greenfield were married in Kingston, Jamaica. Following their marriage Ernie was stationed in Pensacola, FL where he attended Navel flight training. They then moved to San Diego, CA, where he worked with the United States Navy. While stationed in San Diego he did three tours in Vietnam flying helicopter rescue missions. He was called back from Vietnam in 1970 when his wife, Marion became sick and passed away from cancer. He retired from the military in 1979 as a Commander in the Navy, earning the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal with Bronze Wings, and Expert Pistol Shot Medal. He flew spray helicopters for Med Fly Project in California until 1983 when he moved to Dallas, TX to work as a flight instructor for Flight Safety International. He retired in 2009. Ernie passed away at his home in Bedford, TX. He loved spending time with his family just sitting on the deck and enjoying good food at his cabin on Lake Shetek. He took great pleasure in watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing on Sandy Beach. Ernie loved flying helicopters and airplanes he reveled in telling stories of his adventures. Ernie was truly a "people's-person" he loved bringing joy into the lives of his family and friends. Ernie & Marion were the parents of Dianne Franklin, Susan and Kevin Carlson, Nancy and Darren Stancik, and David and Hilary Yaeger. Ernie's siblings include Earl Yaeger. Memorial services were held from United Methodist Church in Slayton, Rev. Bruce Berg officiating.
Burial information: Slayton Memorial Gardens, Slayton, MN
This information was last updated 04/06/2021
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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