Ernie T. Gemperle

Visitation will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, November 21, 2008 at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd. in Turlock. Recitation of the Rosary will follow the visitation at 7 p.m., also at Turlock Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Church, Rose & Lyons Ave. in Turlock. Burial will follow at Turlock Memorial Park. Ernie T. Gemperle was born on June 7, 1929, in Bischofsell, Switzerland. He was a middle child in a family of 12. As a young adult in Switzerland, Ernie attended the International Poultry School in Bern Switzerland. In pursuit of the American dream Ernie came to the United States in 1949 to start his business enterprise. He was shortly drafted into the US Army, during the Korean War. He served State side at Fort Ord California. In October 1955 Ernie returned to Switzerland to marry his childhood sweetheart Annemarie Dezlhofer. They worked hard together as a team to build an egg ranch. Through hard work and perseverance, they grew their small egg ranch into one of the most successful egg companies in the western United States. Ernie is regarded as an industry leader. Gemperle Enterprises, the company he founded has been recognized for its innovation throughout the years. In the early years Ernie was one of the first to switch from sacked to bulk feed deliveries. He was quick to upgrade his egg packing facilities. Ernie's economic prowess and his dedicated work habits were ever present in everything he did. As younger family members entered the business modernization became a key emphasis. The business worked hard at providing the consumer with the highest quality eggs possible at an affordable price. Gemperle Enterprises lead the way in bringing organic and specialty eggs to the western markets. Ernie served as chairman of Nulaid Foods, and was on the boards of Nucal Foods, Nu-West Milling, National Foods, and West Coast UEP. He also served on the California Egg Commission. Ernie was also considered a leader in his local community. He was a past Rotary President and a Rotarian for 40 years. He was past president of the Yosemite Area Council Boy Scouts of America, served on the board for over 30 years. He served on the boards for both Emanuel Hospital in Turlock and Doctors Hospital in Modesto. Ernie was past chairman of Catholic Charities of Stockton Diocese. For recognition of his service to the industry and his community he received numerous awards including: Agri-businessman of the Year(1980 Turlock Chamber), Paul Harris(1985 Rotary), Liberty Bell (1990 County Bar), University Medal (1991 CSUS), Citizen of the Year(1992 Turlock Chamber), Good Egg (1993 PEPA), Good Samaritan (1999 EMC), Champion of the American Dream (2000 CSUS), St. George Medal (2000 Diocese of Stockton), Bart Bennett Memorial (2001 CHSS), Agriculture Hall of Fame (2004 Stanislaus County), Distinguished Citizens (2005 Greater Yosemite Council BSA). Ernie had a love for sailing, golf, travel, wine collecting and was skiing up to last year. Annemarie, his wife of 44 years, preceded her husband in death in 1999. He is survived by his second wife Maria; sons, Peter, Richard, Stephen and Michael Gemperle all of Turlock; daughters, Heidi Gemperle of Seattle, Anita Mahaffey of San Diego and Susan Abdo of Boise Idaho; two stepdaughters, Brigit Johnson and Barbara Masterson; 21 grandchildren, Kevin, Brian and Kelly Mahaffey of San Diego, Jonas and Lucas Abdo of Boise, Jealiesa, Spencer, Tanner, Oliviah & Savannah Gemperle of Hilmar, Tanya Gemperle, Nick Gemperle, Joseph Gemperle, Marcus Gemperle, Sarah Gemperle, Christopher Gemperle, Deanna Gemperle, Sophia Gemperle, Eva Gemperle, Grace Gemperle and Audrey Gemperle all of Turlock; and 3 step-grandchildren, Sierra Masterson and Eric and Evan Johnson.

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Ernie T. Gemperle

June 7, 1929 - November 15, 2008