Ernst, JoanJoan Ernst, age 87, of Leakey, TX, passed away on April 9, 2017. She was born on July 8, 1929 in Wabeno, WI, to parents and Dewey and Vera Anderson. She grew up in Mountain, WI, which was a small, close-knit Swedish town where she was related to most of the townsfolk. She loved relating her childhood memories to family and friends. Joan had a wonderfully distinguished career. She was always one to set goals, and then work as hard as necessary to achieve those goals. She obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the Bellin Memorial Hospital School of Nursing certified as an Emergency Nurse. Afterwards, she obtained a Master's Degree from C.W. Post College. She traveled extensively throughout the United States as the National President of the Emergency Department Nurses Association. She attended meetings at the Pentagon and White House to advocate for Emergency Room Nurses. She was the keynote speaker at the first International Emergency Meeting at Royal College in London, England. She also spoke at the National Emergency Department Nurses Association Scientific Assemblies, the Maryland Institute National Trauma Symposium, and the Northeastern Coronary Heart Disease Conference. Other of her numerous leadership roles included acting as Co-chair of the Pulmonary Resuscitation Program for Nassau County, New York, the Chairperson of the Nassau-Suffolk Regional Emergency Preparedness Committee, Regional Director of the Emergency Department Nurses Association, Program Evaluator for the American Red Cross, Clinic Coordinator for the American Cancer Society, First Aid Station Coordinator for Nassau County Fire Service Academy, Training Coordinator and Board Liaison for National Emergency Medical Services, Board Member of the American Heart Association of New York State, and Education Chairman for the American Association Occupational Health Nurses. She was an instructor at Adelphi University, Nassau Community College, and the Long Island Emergency Nurse Program in the areas of Advanced Cardio Life Support, Advanced Emergency Medicine, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, and Multi-Media First Aid. After retirement, she and her husband, Larry, moved to Leakey, TX, where she was actively involved in the Eastern Star and numerous other altruistic efforts in the community. She contributed greatly to the expansion of the St. Raymond Catholic Church, of which she was a devoted member. Joan was the driving force behind the building of the Real County Public Library. In 2011, Joan was named Leakey Citizen of the year by the Frio Canyon Chamber of Commerce. She held numerous fundraisers for the local school, city park, and civic groups. She was always active in improving the lives of those around her. She was most often the leader of the volunteer activities in which she was involved. She is survived by her husband, Larry, to whom she was married for over 66 years. Larry and Joan shared many a happy memory together. She is also survived by sons Tom, Brad, and Doug Ernst, as well as daughter-in-law, Beth. She was blessed with six grandchildren, Ryan, Jessie, Sean, Heather, Emily, and Audie, and one great grandchild, Arden. She is survived by brothers Norman Anderson and Lynn Anderson. She is predeceased by her parents, sisters Alice Anderson, Doris Ellman, Mary Jane Popelka, and brother Vernon Anderson. She cherished her family, as they did her. She will always be remembered as the heart of the family, for whom her support and dedication never wavered.Joan never backed away from a challenge and was an inspiration to those around her. She touched the lives of many people in her life. She always wanted to make a difference and she accomplished that goal with flying colors. She went above and beyond the call of duty, and did so with a smile on her face.Cremation will be handled by Hillcrest Funeral Home, Bandera Road, San Antonio, Texas. She will be interned in the Veterans Cemetery at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. A memorial service will be held at St. Raymond Catholic Church in Leakey, TX, with the times and date to be set in the near future.