Cooper Ezekiel Ernsting

Hoisington, KS

Cooper Ezekial Ernsting carried a heart as wide as the Kansas sky... tender, colorful, and endlessly loving. He was both strong and courageous, not because he was unafraid, but because every day he kept choosing hope, love, and truth in a world that wasn't ready to understand. On October 3, 2025, God welcomed him home with open arms into His Kingdom.

Cooper was born September 25, 2004, in Manhattan, Kansas. He had a deep love for life on the farm and his almighty Savior. He found peace and joy in music, fishing, burnouts, and friends. "Coop" enjoyed FFA, construction, and evolved to become quite the mechanic (mostly because of the burnouts). In 2024, he proudly graduated from Great Bend High School. Cooper was endlessly curious... always thinking, always talking, always asking why. He could turn even an ordinary moment into a deep conversation and somehow make you see the world differently when he did. He was incredibly passionate about the things that mattered most... family and God. Coop was a loving son and brother who is already deeply missed by all.

He is survived by his mom, Malee D. Schaben (Ryan); father, Levi C. Ernsting; sister, Dawn Harrison-Schaben; brothers, Rylan Webb and Ryan Schaben II; and grandmother, Jean M. Harrison. He is also survived by his aunts, uncles, and cousins: Paul Harrison (Heather), Will & Erin; Lisa Rotert (Eric), Jacob & Lakin, Rebeka Watson (Jon), William, Kathryn, & Eleanor; Zeb Coleman, Jenesis, Bentley, & Greyson... as well as other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his Granddad, Robert E. Harrison; Grandmother, Kathleen Coleman; and Grandfather, Matthew Ernsting.

Funeral Service will be 2:00pm, Friday, October 17, 2025 at Minnis Chapel, St. John, KS with Pastor Wade Russell presiding. Memorials may be given to the Schaben Family for funeral expenses in the care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 34, St. John, KS 67576. There will be a private interment at a later date. Following the service, the family welcomes all to join in a celebration of Cooper’s life at Merv’s in St. John.

“So, with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again, and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

John 16:22