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Heckart-Gillespie Funeral Home

Neza W. Ernst

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Neza Welch Ernst, 73, of Sedalia, died Monday, July 12, 2004, at Bothwell Regional Health Center.

She was born May 4, 1931, in Lodi, Arkansas, daughter of Clifton and Ida Lowery Welch. On June 4, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri, she was married to the Rev. Philip N. Ernst, who died January 12, 1969.

Mrs. Ernst was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Missouri Nursing Association and American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. She was a 1949 graduate of Eldon High School, 1952 graduate of Washington University and a graduate of Barnes School of Anesthesia. While attending high school she lived with her aunt and uncle, Rita and Wyatt Hill. After her marriage she moved to Africa with her husband on a mission to Nigeria, where she worked as a nurse anesthetist. She also worked for Ellis Fischel Hospital and Bothwell Regional Health Center as a nurse anesthetist from 1971 to 1996.

Survivors include two daughters, Venessa Hall, of Millersburg, Missouri; Kristen Cason, of Sedalia; five brothers, Roland Welch and John Welch, both of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Hermigene Welch and Donald Welch, both of Glenwood, Arkansas, and Randy Welch, of Ft. Worth, Texas; a sister, Sylvia Vaughn, of Bolch Springs, Texas; four grandchildren, Sheila Hall, Ryan Hall, Philip Cason and Alex Cason; and a great grandson.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Heckart/Gillespie Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Ken Tatkenhorst officiating.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia, Missouri.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Heckart/Gillespie Funeral Home.  Friends may also sign the guest register online at www.heckart-gillespie.com.

The family suggests contributions to the American Diabetes Association or the American Lung Association.