Matthew Loy Ernst

Matthew Loy Ernst, proud son of Spokane, Washington, and gifted Lutheran parish pastor across four states and six decades, passed away on April 21, 2023. After high school, Matt graduated from PLU and Wartburg Theological Seminary. While on a summer internship in 1964, he met Karen Gerhard, and they married in July 1965. Service and justice were part of Matt’s essence, from marching for civil rights in Selma, Alabama in 1965 to resettling Vietnam War–era refugees, to serving unhoused and disenfranchised people. Matt is survived by Karen and their three children, Heidi Jones, Ruby Wolfe, and Jonathan Ernst; daughter-in-law, Emily Sollie; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.