Ernst R Svendsen

Born October 10, 1921 in Kongerslev, Denmark to Jens and Martha (Rose) Svendsen. He married Alice Ghidina on November 13, 1954 in Pekin. She died on August 25, 2011 in Pekin. Also preceding him in death are his parents; eight brothers; three sisters and one grandson, Joshua Dawe on July 23, 2008 in Normal.

Surviving are three sons, Richard (Pam) Anderson, Grant (DeeDee) Svendsen and Ernie Svendsen, all of Pekin; two daughters, Joan (Lyn) Howard of Pekin, Jan (Brent) Roberts of St. Peters, MO; thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was self-employed as a contractor / builder for Svendsen Construction in Pekin for forty years, retiring in 1992.

Ernst was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.

Known as a master craftsman, Ernst enjoyed fishing, gardening, mushroom hunting, traveling and playing soccer in his younger years. “He was also the happiest man you would ever meet.”

His funeral will be held at 6 p.m., Friday May 8, 2015 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Father Michael Andrejek will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 5:45 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Private burial will beat St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Midwest Affiliate, 4722 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL 61614 or to assist Terry Svendsen at www.gofundme.com/rxtmu4.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com