It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ernest G. Wolla, Jr., 70, of Dickinson, who left us on January 23, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with illness. Ernest’s Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton with Fr. Thomas Wordekemper, OSB as celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Richardton. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m. with Deacon Robert Bohn presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church.
Ernie was born on August 19, 1954, to Ernest and Della (Urban) Wolla, Sr. in Brazos, TX. After graduating from Tioga High School in 1973, he began a career with an elevator repair company, where he met the love of his life, Cindy (Zimmerman) Wolla, while working on the elevator that her dad managed. They married in July of 1976 and settled in Taylor, before relocating to Dickinson in 1986 when Ernie began his 32-year tenure with Southwest Grain.
Together, Ernie and Cindy welcomed their first daughter, Sarah, in 1977, and their second daughter, Nikki, in 1979. In 2007, their family grew as they were blessed with grandchildren, “Little Buddy” Bryce in February and “Pumpkin” Maddi in September. Ernie cherished being a grandpa, attending all their events and taking them on special ice cream trips. He loved spending time with his family and extended family, paddlefishing, bird hunting, their many random roadtrips, and visiting with old and new faces with a cold one.
As the maintenance manager at Southwest Grain for over 30 years, Ernie was known for his mentorship and inventive problem-solving, often referred to as “MacGyver-ing.” He retired in 2018 due to health issues but continued to inspire those around him.
For their 25th wedding anniversary, Cindy offered him a choice between a vacation or a motorcycle, and the next day they found themselves at the Harley Davidson dealership. The Road King they purchased became a source of cherished memories, friendships, and adventures, and Ernie rode until his health prevented him from doing so.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Della Wolla; and his mother-in-law, Joan Zimmerman. He is survived by his devoted wife, Cindy (dog, Stella), Dickinson; daughters and their families, Sarah (Bill and Bryce) Cerkoney, Belfield, and Nikki (Maddi) Wolla, Dickinson; siblings Bev (Shane and Dean) Humenyik, Williston, Pete (Arvilla, Laura, Lisa, Phillip) Wolla, Box Elder, SD, Dan (Vera, Sophia, Nick) Wolla, Tioga; aunt, Marian Urban, Ponca City, OK; father-in-law, Roger Zimmerman, Taylor; sister-in-law, Rocky Zimmerman, Hebron; and brother-in-law, Pat (Tara, Ashley, Tanner) Zimmerman, Jamestown; and numerous cousins and extended family. Ernie will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A special thank you to Dr. Gerving, Dr. Halsey, Dr. Desai, Lisa Clairmont and their teams at Sanford Health for the gentle care they provided him over the years.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) https://support.apdaparkinson.org.
