Mass of Christian Burial for Ernest "Ernie" M. Kari, age 96, longtime Bison, SD, businessman will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2016, at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Bison, SD, with Fr. Ed Vanorny officiating. Burial with military honors will be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.

Ernest Mark Kari was born June 4th, 1920 to John and Lily Kari at the ranch 25 miles South of Bison. He grew up on the ranch riding horse watching sheep and cows. Dad said him and Uncle Pete would ride over to the pasture South of the Brushy school trying to find the milk cows. They would fall asleep and the horse would show up in the dark at the ranch with them sound asleep. When dad started grade school he couldn't speak English and the teacher couldn't speak german.

After grade school dad attended High School in Bison graduating in 1938. He attended Black Hills Business School in Rapid City SD. In 1942 he got his call from the US Government and landed in Robat, Africa then Sicily and then Italy and then the French Rivera. After the war he came back to the U.S. and worked for the government for a year. Dad was very proud of his time in the military.

Carl Knutson talked him into coming back to Bison and they bought the Bison Jack and Jill from John Jackson. In 1948 he married Arlene Miller. They had 5 children--Dennis-Virginia-Kevin-Rene-Blane. Dad loved working at the store. He was on vacation everyday he was at work.

Ernie passed away on Saturday morning, October 22, 2016 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene Kari, Bison, SD; four sons, Dennis (Doris) Kari, Kevin (Susan) Kari, Blane Kari and Rene Kari, all of Bison, SD; one son-in-law, Terry (Linda) Bohnet, Vale, SD; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Seidel, Bison, SD; one sister-in-law, Bernie (Mrs. Pete) Kari, Meadow, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Virginia Bohnet; grandson, Damon Bohnet; brother, Pete Kari; sister, Mary Helen Clark; and brother-in-law, Cliff Seidel.

Visitation will from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary/Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 all at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Bison, SD.