Ernest Soren Kjellberg

Ernest Soren “Ernie” Kjellberg passed away on October 1, 2025, at Lowell General Hospital after a brief health episode. He was born on February 23, 1937, the second of three sons to Axel and Signy Kjellberg in Hartford, CT. He graduated from Hartford Public High in 1955, where he was an avid trumpet player and active in the band, orchestra and choir. Ernie had fond memories of high school and was first trumpet in the 1954 Connecticut All-State High School Band. Ernie briefly studied at the Hartt School of Music before moving on to work for Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) for over thirty years, finally retiring in 2011. He met his beloved wife, Mechthild, on a blind date arranged by a friend in 1968 and they married on November 22, 1969. Ernie and Mechthild happily celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2019 before Mechthild’s passing in 2022. Ernest leaves behind his daughters, Kerstin and Ulrike Kjellberg; his son-in-law, Matthew Danehy and his two granddaughters, Siri Harrison and Annika Danehy. In addition, he leaves behind his sister-in-law, Barbara Kjellberg and eight nieces and nephews. Ernest was predeceased by his wife, Mechthild; his older brother, Axel Kjellberg; his younger brother, Carl Kjellberg and his sisters-in-law, Ilse Patrissi and Sigrid Douek.

Ernie was curious about the world and loved to learn. Among his many interests, he loved jazz and classical music and had been a trumpet player since childhood, when he played with his brothers in the Salvation Army band in Hartford. He treated every member of his family to an annual trumpet solo of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate them.

They jokingly named him Ernie “The Lip” Kjellberg for his horn-playing. Ernie was also a small-scale “Johnny Appleseed,” planting trees in his backyard any chance he got. These included oak, redwood, peach, apple and pear trees. He was an early practitioner of organic gardening and enjoyed teaching his daughters and the neighborhood children about the insects found in the garden. The son of a baker, Ernie himself was an accomplished baker of fruit pies and German and Scandinavian celebration breads. He was also an avid reader and language lover.

Ernie will be remembered fondly by his family as a kind and gentle person with a fun sense of humor, penchant for corny jokes and a love of cats and other animals. He was truly a devoted dad and Opi. His daughters would like to offer gratitude to the entire staff at Benchmark Senior Living in Chelmsford, for their kindness and good care of Ernie.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a Celebration of Ernie’s Life on Sunday, November 9th at 12 PM at the Establishment in North Chelmsford. Interment will be private. “See you ‘round like a donut.”