C. Ernest Visser

Friends are invited to the viewing and visitation at the Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel in Grover Beach on Tuesday, December 3rd from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Friends are also welcome to join with Ernie's family for the burial service with full military honors at the Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 East Bear Mountain Blvd., Arvin, CA. 93203 on Wednesday, December 4th at 12:30 p.m.

The memorial service for Ernest will be at the Grace Bible Church, 100 Rodeo Dr. in Arroyo Grande on December 5th (Thursday) at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Jason Whalen officiating.

On Sept. 20, 1940, in The Hague, The Netherlands, Cornelis Ernest "Ernie" Visser was born to his loving parents, Cor and Annie Visser, during the beginning of World War II. His two brothers, Louis and John, would be born in the succeeding years. In addition to the normal anxieties of war-time, Ernie became seriously ill and had to be separated from his mother for a time in a German hospital. He was discharged only speaking German. The Visser family would be always grateful that they made it through that tumultuous time.

Cor decided in the early 1950’s that it was time to leave their homeland and seek a life outside of Holland. Canada was the destination, as the United States had much harder entry requirements, namely that you had to have a sponsor who would promise to provide for you as you began your life there. A blessing was that Ernie’s aunt, Hertha, had met and married an American soldier, Armand Carpentier, during WWII and now resided in California. This young man’s sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Erwin Meyer, agreed to be their sponsor and would always be considered family. Their son, Jerry, and Ernie would remain life long best friends. In April of 1954, the Visser family arrived in Arroyo Grande, California, after sailing into New York and gazing on the Statue of Liberty on their way. Sisters and cousins were reunited and life in America began.

Wonderful people invited the Visser family to the First Presbyterian Church in Arroyo Grande, now Grace Bible Church, shortly after their arrival. This would be life-changing, as it brought the family to Christ and this in turn brought children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to know Christ as their personal Savior.

Ernie would graduate in 1959 from Arroyo Grande High School, having gained many friends and the desire to use his talents to design homes. He began drafting as an apprentice when he was just 15 years old. He would serve from 1963-1965 in the United States Army as a Chaplain’s Assistant and said later how he didn’t want to be a Chaplain because they couldn’t carry weapons. But, he could as an assistant.

Ernie became reacquainted with Margaret Spoo at a church beach and bowling outing, and they were married in April of 1966. Their five children soon followed. Ernie worked in various positions using his talents as a draftsman residential designer and civil engineer designer. He worked for a time at Vandenberg Air Force Base and also at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant during its creation. He later was self-employed and enjoyed designing homes for friends, family and the communities he resided in. Ernie and Margaret resided in other areas for a time as opportunities arose. Those included Sedalia, Missouri, Fresno, Clovis, Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada, Chino Hills and Riverside.

A highlight in Ernie's life was testing and becoming a Registered Residential Designer 082-RD with the Nevada State Board of Architecture. Ernie did extremely well with his qualifying testing the first time around. Soon Nevada would become Ernie's and Meg's new home state!!

He would spend his time in other ways, too, always serving in the churches he and Margaret attended. You would see him singing in the church choir and the West Coast Mennonite Men’s Choir, helping drive kids around for youth group events both here and in Fresno, and serving in Vacation Bible School and AWANA. He even drove the Central Coast Christian Academy school bus when his kids were little and attended there. He had also been a long-time member of the Arroyo Grande Lions Club. Ernie was always joking with someone and taking their picture…usually as they were about to take a bite of something. In addition to photography, he was an avid reader. His family’s many memories include beach walks, bbq’s, fishing, camping, road trips, and family gatherings, to name a few. There are too many stories and funny memories to include, but we love to think and laugh about them when together.

Ernie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margaret; his five children: Elizabeth Scott and her husband, Norm, Sharon Fellows, Robert Visser and his wife, Nora, Katherine Mollenkopf and her husband, Brian, and William Visser; seven grandchildren: Melissa Scott, Courtney Norberg and her husband, Josh, Justin Scott, Jacob Scott, Nicholas Fellows, Christoper Fellows, Kellen Mollenkopf, Grace Mollenkopf, and Paige Mollenkopf; and three great-grandchildren: Levi Norberg, Colbie Norberg and their soon-to-be-born sibling; his brother, Lou Visser and wife, Wendy; brother- and sister-in-law: Art and Kris Spoo, and their daughters, Jennifer and Bethany and families; and also cousins: Jannie Graham and husband, Phil, and their daughter, Lanie Koziel and family; and Heidi Carpentier.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Cor and Annie Visser; his brother, John Visser; and aunts, uncles and cousins which include Herta and Armand Carpentier; Ann and Jack Zechner; Armand Carpentier Jr.; and Anita Carpentier.

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