Audrey Ernst
Belleville | Save
Audrey B. Ernst, nee Kimmich, 93, of Belleville, IL, born October 8, 1932, in St. Louis, MO, passed away peacefully Monday, August 24, 2026, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, surrounded by her children.
Audrey was the fifth of seven children born to George and Mary Kimmich. She enjoyed a happy childhood in the Boulevard Heights neighborhood of St. Louis, where she attended St. Stephen’s Grade School before graduating from St. Elizabeth’s Academy. Following high school, she took a job in the accounting department of a local insurance company.
A blind date, arranged by friends, introduced Audrey to the love of her life, Les. After a three-year courtship, they were married on May 26, 1956, and built a life together in Belleville, where they welcomed two sons and four daughters.
Family and faith were the cornerstones of Audrey’s life. She treasured time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took great pride in the family she and Les nurtured throughout their 63 years of marriage. Their enduring partnership was marked by love, loyalty, and self-less devotion. Together, they enjoyed traveling across the country with a camper trailer in tow, creating memories through their shared adventures. As devoted members of St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, she and Les shared a commitment to service. She enjoyed working in the cafeterias of Cathedral and Althoff schools and volunteering with Les at the Bingo fundraisers.
Audrey loved to cook and seemed to effortlessly prepare wonderful meals for family and friends. She also enjoyed nurturing her houseplants, and the color blue was her favorite. Her caring nature was especially evident in the loving support she provided Les during his final years as his health declined. After sharing 61 years together in their Belleville home on Menard Drive and following his passing in 2019, Audrey moved to Freeburg where she enjoyed being a part of the community at Cedar Trails Assisted Living Facility. There she became a “social butterfly” as she enjoyed the activities and the warm friendships.
Audrey was preceded in death by her loving husband Lester E. Ernst; parents, George A. and Mary J. (nee Suda) Kimmich; granddaughter, Paige Karlas; brothers, George, Norman and Robert Kimmich; sisters, Elenor Venverloh, Marie Berdeaux, and Jackie Schindler; and numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-laws.
She is survived by a living legacy of her six children and their spouses, sons, Ron (Phyllis) Ernst of Belleville and Gregg (Mary) Ernst of Oakville, MO; daughters, Janet (Jim) Eilering of Sacramento, CA, Carol (Dean) Elder of Millstadt, IL, Nancy (Dave) Schmidt of Smithton, IL, and Diane (Aaron) Karlas of Edwardsville, IL.; 21 grandchildren (and spouses), Stephanie (Knute) Schneider, Allen (Rebecca) Ernst, Abigail (Brad) Rolland, Nicholas (Amanda) Ernst, Kayla (Max) Klein, Ryan Ernst, Jason (Sarah) Ernst, Andrea Ernst (Matthew Leibovitz), Brooke (John) Topete, Jared (Charity) Eilering, Lindsey (Steven) Rodriquez, Austin Eilering, Ashley (Tyler) Mueth, Erica (Cadence) Kirchner, Justin (Brenda) Schmidt, Jeremy and Jenna Schmidt, Grant (Mikayla) Karlas, Luke, Olivia and Audrey Karlas; 30 great-grandchildren (with 3 additional expected in the coming months); and numerous nieces & nephews.
Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, the Alzheimer’s Association, the March of Dimes, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
The family would like to gratefully acknowledge all who helped watch over Audrey and provided her with exceptional care, companionship and support in her later years as her health challenges grew. A special thanks to her friends and the staff at Cedar Trails and her personal caregivers! Their compassion and kindness brought comfort to both Audrey and her family.
Audrey was greatly loved and will be missed by many!
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, September 7, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. John Myler officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Renner Funeral Home
