Ernest R. “Ernie” Bliven, 82 of Sioux City, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2013 at Hallmark Care Center after a long illness.

A memorial service will be held Friday July 5th at10:30 am at Waterbury Funeral Service in Sergeant Bluff with the Rev. Michael Erpelding officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the time of service. A luncheon will be held after the interment at St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Hall. Online condolences may be sent to www.waterburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Ernie was born on October 12, 1930 in Lemmon, South Dakota, the only child of Ernest and Marion (Boyd) Bliven. Ernie lost his parents when he was just two years old, after which he was raised by his paternal grandmother, Lila (Bliven) Lorenger in Sioux City, Iowa.

Ernie attended elementary and secondary schools in Sioux City and was an avid reader for the rest of his life. His favorite subjects included all periods of history and politics. He also enjoyed bowling and spent many hours at the Park Bowl in Greenville
Ernie met and was later united in marriage to Novaline Farner on July 31, 1950 in Sioux City. They began their family with the arrival of Barry followed by Terry, Kerry, and Sundy.
Ernie worked at Cudahy’s Packing House in Sioux City until it was closed in 1954. He received his early initiation to carpentry work while employed at the Sioux City Casket Company. He oftentimes mentioned the high cost of fixing all the flat tires from tacks and nails scattered about the parking lot. Ernie took advantage of a new opportunity in the early 1960's when he took the position of manager at the Imperial Oil Co. in the 400 block of HWY 75. Later in the decade, he started working as a carpenter once again, this time working with Lucas Construction building houses, duplexes, and condominiums in the Indian Hills area of Sioux City. Ernie joined the local Carpenter’s Union and became a millwright carpenter working for many years on construction of all four units of the Port Neil generator station and other power plants in the region. He pursued his passion for millwright work in the 1980's moving he and Novaline to Missouri, Colorado, and finally to Glenrock Wyoming where he worked maintaining the power plant there until advancing arthritis ended his career.

He began a small engine repair business but the degenerative nature of his arthritis disabled him and caused his early retirement. Despite many aches and pains, he continued to spend much of his spare time tinkering in his garage and shop working on anything mechanical or electrical. He could revive almost any small engine or electric motor in need of repair.

Ernie had many hobbies, collecting movies, both film and digital photography, and he enjoyed making sausage and other smoked meats, grinding and slicing as much as he could by hand and finished the process in his own home made smoke cabinet. He was fascinated with watches and clocks, even building grandfather clocks.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Novaline; three sons, Barry (Paula) of Sioux City, Terry of Sioux Falls, and Kerry (Lin) of Sioux City; one daughter, Sundy Gaskell of Tucson, Arizona; 8 grandchildren, Melissa Gaskell of Tucson, AZ, Kelly (Zak) Bell of Ames, IA, Msgt. Trevor (Laura) Bliven of Shalimar, FL, Kristopher Bliven of Sioux City, Jackie Lawrey of Sioux City, Katie Bliven of Denver, CO., Aaron Bliven and Ryan Bliven, both of Sioux City; and 7 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and Grandmother Lila.