Ernest Francis LaPalm Ernest Francis LaPalm passed away on July 8, 2017 at the age of 83 in Olympia WA surrounded by his loving family. Ernie was born on January 7, 1934 to Ernest and Alice LaPalm in Butte, Montana. Ernie graduated from Saint Patrick's Grade School and Butte Boys' Central High School. He graduated from the University of Montana in 1956 with a BS in Business Administration. He spent 18 months working 1600 feet underground in a copper mine for the Anaconda Mining Company with dynamite, drills and power shovels. He served a tour of duty in the army at Fort Lewis where he was led to administrative work and fondness for Puget Sound. Later in his career he attended the University of Washington on a fellowship awarded by the National Institute for Public Affairs. Ernie began his career with the WA State Employment Security Department as a Research Statistician and climbed up the career ladder through various management positions until he was appointed Deputy Director for the Department. He was a leader and advocate for the employment of youth, women, minorities, migrant workers, veterans and the disadvantaged. He served under numerous Democratic and Republican Governors and Commissioners and was devoted to public service. He earned the respect of employees and employers and received many awards and recognition for his work for those seeking employment and unemployment benefits. He was in direct charge of 38 job service centers, six regional offices and a host of other offices and outstations. He was viewed as someone who knew more about the agency than any single person. He was viewed as a "Man of all Seasons". Ernie was a champion for people with disability. His support for the disability community spanned his entire career. He was instrumental in shaping the Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment in place today and setting up the Resource Center for the Handicapped providing staffing and other support including hiring program graduates in the Employment Security Department. When Ernie was the Deputy, 10% of the workforce in the Department were people with disabilities, the largest number of any large state agency. Ernie worked with the Governor's Office to initiate an internship for people with disabilities and was also responsible for the accessible entrance to the Maple Park building. A very honorable man and true leader. Ernie was proud of his French and Irish ancestry and loved his family unconditionally. He loved spending time with his family for the 4th of July and St Patrick's Day in Butte or anywhere. He liked riding airboats in the Everglades and spending time on the beach in Treasure Island, Florida. He enjoyed fly fishing, traveling, singing and attending theater and musical performances. He was an avid fan of the Mariners and attended the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues spring training. He was a 30 year ticket holder for the Seahawks and rooted for Notre Dame and the Huskies in the Rose Bowl. He enjoyed watching his sons and grandsons' football, basketball and baseball games. Ernie was a member of St Michael's Catholic Church and donated his time to St Vincent de Paul. He was elected to serve East Bay Harbor Association President for several terms. He was a lifetime member of the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security Department. Ernie married his wife Milly in 1983 at the Temple of Justice in Olympia. Other surviving family are his two sons, Ernie LaPalm (Sandi) of Olympia, Mark LaPalm (Jennifer) of Seattle, daughter, Serena Ochoa (Manuel) of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, grandsons, Matthew LaPalm (Megan) of Missoula, Douglas LaPalm (Brittney) of Lacey, Brennan and Patrick Fitz Gerald of Plymouth Meeting, Aaron Berets (Ronnie) of Olympia and Andrew Berets of Olympia. Great grandson, Nolan LaPalm of Lacey, sister, Mary Carol LaPalm of Vancouver, brother-in-law, Mike Weber of Polson, nephews, Richard Garlish (Betsy) of Vancouver, Joe Weber (Kandice) of Helena, Steve Weber (Sarah) of Glendale, Chris Weber (Erika) of Polson, Bill Weber (Roxanne) of Butte and Annette Stajcar (Mark) of Butte. Ernie was preceded in death by his daughter, Suzanne (Malcom) Fitz Gerald, sister, Jeanne (LaPalm) Weber, parents Ernie and Alice LaPalm, grandparents John and Marion LaPalm and Cornelius and Julia O'Neill. Service will be held July 26th at noon at Saint Michael Catholic Church at 1208 11th Avenue SE, Olympia WA with Father Cody Ross officiating. A private burial service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery the next morning. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.