He lived most of his life in the vicinity of Marysville, Yuba County, California. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and Marysville Elks Lodge No. 783. At some time during his life he worked as a cattle rancher.

In 1929 Ernest lived with his mother in the family home at 200 Wilbur Avenue, Yuba City. His occupation was given as student. He was still living there in April, 1930, together with his mother and older brother Herman. Both brothers were described as laborers working at odd jobs, and Ernie was still attending school. The family of their brother Otto lived next door at #208, and that of their brother Edward in the next house at #210. All three houses were stated to be on a farm.

Ernest married (first), May 10, 1930 in —, Mary G— Harshner. She was born December 20, 1915 in Alameda, Alameda County, California, the daughter of Chester G— Harshner and Grace Bell (Crosby) Harshner.

Children:

1. Mary Ellen Kunde (Maryette), born August 23, 1936 in —, Yuba County, California.

In 1934 Ernest and Mary lived in a house at 429 Wilbur Avenue, Yuba City. Ernest's occupation was given as chauffeur.

Ernest started working for the U.S. Post Office in Marysville about 1932, and remained with it until 1973. His specific occupation was given as carrier in 1936, clerk from at least 1938-1955, foreman in 1957, superintendent of mails from at least 1960-1964, and assistant postmaster from 1965-1973.

In 1936 Ernest and Mary were living in a house at 404 Wilbur Avenue, Yuba City. By 1938 they had moved to a house at 1311 H, Marysville, where they lived through at least 1940. Ernest was still of Marysville when his mother died in January, 1941.

By 1942 the Kundes were living in a house at 673 Franklin Avenue, Yuba City where they seem to have lived through 1954, although in 1944 Ernest's residence was given as 501 I, Marysville. During this period Mary's occupation was given as office secretary for the State Board of Equalization, 423 and 425 E, Marysville, in 1950, and as legal secretary for Erling S. Norby, lawyer, 331 5th, Marysville, in 1954.

Ernest and Mary separated by 1955. For her subsequent history, see the Appendix to this entry.. From that year through 1957 Ernest resided at 615 C, Marysville.

Ernest was of Marysville in 1955, when his brother Otto died.

Ernest married (second), on November 22, 1957 in —, Yuba County, California, Betty Ilene (Pickett) Hall. She was born August 13, 1930, in Keosauqua, Van Buren County, Iowa, the daughter of Glen Handon Pickett and Mary Frances (Heminger) Pickett. She had previously been married to Harold Robert Hall. He was born — –, —, in —, the son of — Hall and — (—) Hall.

Betty had two children from her previous marriage, and she and Ernest had two children together, as follows.

Children:

1. — Hall.
2. — Hall.
3. — Kunde.
4. — Kunde.

From 1966 through at least 1975 the family lived in a house at 976 Franklin Avenue, Yuba City. Ernest retired from the postal service in 1973. In 1974 and 1975 his occupation was given as salesman for Burchell Hardware Company, 900 F Street, or the corner of F and 9th, Marysville.

By 1977 Ernest and Betty were living in a house at 1166 Queens Avenue, Yuba City. Ernest is shown as residing there through 1979, and Betty through 1980, though in fact they seem to have moved back to Browns's Valley by 1979. Ernest is shown as retired from 1977-1979. Betty was division coordinator of the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa Division of the American Heart Association, 208 Carriage Square, Yuba City, from 1977-1980.

From at least 1979 until Ernest's death the Kundes lived in a house at 10676 Spring Valley Road, Brown's Valley, California (postal address Marysville).

Ernest Kunde died April 13, 1988 at the University of California at Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. Funeral services were held at 10 A.M., April 18, 1988 at the Chapel of the Twin Cities in Yuba City. Rev. Wayne Vincent, of the Loma Rica Community Church, officiated. Ernest was buried in the Browns Valley Cemetery, with military honors rendered by an honor guard from Beale Air Force Base. His grave bears a marker with the following inscription:

Photo from collection of Brian Kunde.

Betty Kunde continued to live in their house after Ernest's death, later remarrying. Betty married (third), August 8, 1992 in Reno, Washoe County, Nevada, Everal Albert Songer, Jr. (Ev). Both were of California at the time. Everal was born December 1, 1918 in Stockton, San Joaquin County, California, the son of Everal Albert Songer and Minnie Dorothy (Cramer) Songer. Everal was a retired heavy equipment operator in housing development for thirty years and was a member of Operating Engineers Local No. 12 in Pasadena. He moved to the Yuba-Sutter area about 1990 after living in Simi Valley for forty years. In 1996 the Songers' address was 10676 Spring Valley Road, Marysville CA 95901. Everal Songer died August 12, 2006 in Browns Valley, Yuba County, California. His last residence was Marysville, Yuba County, California 95901. Services were held with arrangements under the direction of Chapel of the Twin Cities in Yuba City. Interment was in Browns Valley Cemetery, Browns Valley, Yuba County, California. * * * * * Appendix. After her divorce from Edward Kunde, Mary (Harshner) Kunde married (second), August 25, 1955 in —, Sutter County, California, Floyd David Bragger. He was born September 16, 1912 in Oroville, Butte County, California, the son of John Bragger and Dora (Auk or Ank) Bragger. He had previously been married to Edna Rose Ernst. She was born September 13, 1904, in —, Michigan, the daughter of Bernie Ernst and — (Long) —. Edna died May 13, 1954, aged 49, in —, Yolo County, California, and was buried in Strawberry Valley Cemetery, Strawberry Valley, Yuba County, California. Floyd Bragger was a lifelong resident of the Yuba-Sutter area. He was a shop mechanic for twenty years with Soper-Wheeler, owned the Strawbery Store for ten years, and was also for a time postmaster for Strawberry Valley. He was also a member of the Audubon Society and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Mary and Floyd Bragger's Social Security cards were both issued in California. Mary Bragger's last residence was Yuba City, Sutter County, California 95991. She died May 8, 1986 at the age of 70 at Rideout Hospital in Marysville, Yuba County, California. Private services were held under the direction of Hutchison and Carnes Chapel before May 12, 1986. Floyd Bragger's last residence was Yuba City, Sutter County, California 95993. He died September 17, 2000 at the age of 88 at his residence. A private graveside service was conducted at a later date at the Strawberry Valley Cemetery in Strawberry Valley.

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From 8/6/2012 revision.
1st web edition posted 1/22/1998.
This page last updated 7/24/2013.

Published by Fleabonnet Press.