Ernie Hutchins, 80, departed this life and entered the presence of his Savior on January 18, 2026. A Public Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the Celebration of Life at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Brookings First Assembly of God in Brookings, SD. 

Ernest William Hutchins was born January 31, 1945 in Sisseton, South Dakota to Jesse and Amanda (Pingel) Hutchins, the youngest of his two sisters and one brother. He grew up in Peever and on a farm outside of Browns Valley. He loved his childhood on the farm. He graduated from Sisseton High School in 1963.

Ernie met Gloria Moen when his family moved into a home Gloria's family moved out of and the rest, as they say, is history. They were married December 10, 1966 and lived in Minneapolis, MN where Ernie worked for Lamaur, a hair product company. They moved back to Sisseton in 1975 where they raised their two daughters Candy and Misty. Here, Ernie started a plastercraft business, worked at Mode o’ Day and Social Services, and spent many years with Lundstrom Ministries. He finished his career working maintenance at Coteau des Prairies Hospital. In 2011, Ernie and Gloria moved to Brookings to be closer to family.

Ernie was a man of deep Christian faith. He was a gentle disciple who lived his life to honor his beliefs. He was a faithful member of the Assembly of God Churches in Sisseton and Brookings, serving on the worship team, men's groups, nursing home ministries, and more. He lived out his faith through quiet acts of service, generosity, and devotion to his family.

He cherished his role as a husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa. Known affectionately as 'Grandpa Cat' to his grandkids, they will remember him as a reliable, kind man with a servant heart who was always happy to be around the people he loved.

He loved sports, playing in volleyball and softball leagues in his younger years and spending many hours watching his family members' events later in life. He enjoyed cars and tinkering in his garage, and shared his love of board and card games with his family.

After a variety of health troubles, Ernie and Gloria moved to Dakota Sun Assisted Living in Volga in October 2024 until October 2025 when Ernie was moved to United Living Community in Brookings. He passed away there on January 18, 2026 just days shy of his 81st birthday. He will now spend eternity where he prepared his whole life to be.

Left to carry on his legacy are his wife of 59 years Gloria, his daughters Candy (Bud) Molyneux and Misty (Ross) Tanner, grandchildren Hope (Riley) Meyer, Shelby Monshaugen, Kersey (Jerrod) Schumacher, Brooklyn Molyneux, Daytona Molyneux, Trey Tanner, and Kalli Tanner, great grandchildren Miles, Eleanor, Brayden, Morgan, Stevie, and one on the way, siblings-in-law Myron (Judy) Moen, Joyce Barse, Cindy Moen Wolfe, Gary (Sharon) Moen, and Gay Lynn (Mike) Drooger, sister-in-law Carol Hutchins, and many nieces and nephews.

He was happily greeted in Heaven by his parents Jesse and Amanda, sisters Mary (Ray) Bergstrom and Eleanor (Delton) Osterloh, brother James, mother and father-in-law Helmer and Alyce Moen, brothers-in-law Harold Barse and Randy Moen, and nephew Donnie Hutchins.

Blessed be his memory.