Carl Ernest “Ernie” Person, age 83, of Rapid River, died at home on January 2nd, 2006, of heart disease. He was born In Rapid River, Michigan on April 8th, 1922, the first child of Carl and Judith (Brannstrom) Person who were immigrants from Sweden. Both preceded him in death, as did 2 sisters, Mary Palmer and Lucille Person.

He is succeeded by his wife, Penelope (Laverty) Person; brother, John (Christine) Person; and sister, Anita (Andrew) Stone.

Ernie graduated from Rapid River High School in 1940. He attended Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, graduating in 1947 with a Liberal Arts Degree in Geology, his attendance there having been interrupted by World War II. He served his country in the U. S. Army’s Ninth Air Force in Britain, France, and Germany, earning four battle stars. Ernie received his Masters Degree in Geology from the University of Iowa in 1949.

He married Marriette O. Youngert of Rock Island, Illinois in 1947, and she preceded him in death in 1981. Five children from this union were Eric O. (Pamela) Person, Arnold D. Person, Kristen M. (Leon) Molinario, Linnea I. (Alan) Savoie and Judith F. (Jerry) Savoie, all living in the New Orleans area.  He married Penelope in 1982 in Houston, Texas.

Carl was employed by the Exploration Department of Shell Oil Company in 1949, having worked for Shell for 36 years, mostly in Louisiana and Texas, and was a member of the New Orleans Geologic Society. His recreation centered around hunting, and fishing, but he thoroughly loved his geological work, seeing the seeking of oil deposits as another form of hunting. Following his retirement in 1985, he returned to Rapid River with his wife, Penelope. Ernie has been active in his church, Calvary Lutheran, the Swedish Club, the Rapid River Lions Club, and the Rapid River American Legion Walter W. Cole Post #301.

The family of Carl “Ernie” Person will receive friends on Thursday, January 5th, at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., concluding with a ceremony by the Rapid River Legion Post #301.

On Friday morning, services  will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapid River with Rev. Stephen Gauger officiating. Burial will be in the Rapid River Cemetery.

Carl Persons family respectfully requests memorials be directed to the Calvary Lutheran Church or to a charity of choice.