Ernest “Ernie” Mau

Ernest “Ernie” W. Mau,

76, Tolley, ND, passed

away peacefully on Satur-

day, October 9, 2021 at

the family ranch.

Ernest was born on Oc-

tober 18, 1944 in Ward

County to Bill and Dena

(Savelkoul) Mau. He was

raised and educated in

rural Tolley, graduating

from Tolley High School

in 1962. Following gra-

duation, Ernie attended

the North Dakota State

College of Science in

Wahpeton, ND, as well as

auctioneers school in Ma-

son City, IA. On De-

cember 30, 1967, Ernie

was united in marriage to

Shari Briggs and they

worked side by side for 53

years.

Ernie started Great

Plains Aero, an aerial

spraying business, with

Palmer Brekhus in 1966.

He was also active in

farming and ranching. In

1988, Ernie began raising

top quality elk with the

help of his family. In

2018, Ernie, along with

sons Tim and Tom and

grandson Caden, started a

bison feedlot operation.

Ernie was an avid

hunter and fisherman. He

also loved to go to the

rodeo. Ernie enjoyed

spending time with his

family, and his eyes lit up

every time he saw his

grandkids! He also loved a

good argument. Ernie was

president of his local

school board and a

member of the Roosevelt

Township board, the

North Dakota Elk Growers

board, and for many other

organizations.

Ernie is survived by his

wife, Shari; children, Tim

(Lori Duvall), Tom

(Mechell Holien), and To-

nya (Bryan) Kellenberger;

grandchildren, Tayler and

Caden Mau, Tayten Reid

and Harley Mau, and

Jentz and Ryal Kellen-

berger; sister-in-law Thel-

ma; and numerous nieces,

nephews, and other ex-

tended relations.

He was preceded in

death by his parents;

brothers, Ed and Herman;

and sisters, Mae, Myrtle,

Maureen, and Delores.

A funeral Mass will be

held on Wednesday, Oc-

tober 20, 2021 at 11 a.m.

at St. Agnes Catholic

Church in Kenmare. The

service will be recorded

for the public to view and

can be accessed by going

to https://bit.ly/3qXP5Jo.

Burial will be at St.

Charles Cemetery in Tol-

ley, with a gathering at

the Tolley Fire Hall to fol-

low. Visitation will be on

Tuesday, October 19 from

4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the

Thompson-Larson Fun-

eral Home in Kenmare.

Those wishing to sign the

online register and share

memories may access the

online obituaries section

at (www.thompson

larson.com).