Ernest Lee Barnett

Ernest Lee "Ernie" Barnett, 75, of Madrid, Nebraska, passed away August 30, 2026, at his home in Madrid.

Ernie was born January 19, 1951, in Grant, Nebraska, to Charles Russell Barnett and Ila Loveta (Rowley) Barnett Short. He attended Grant Grade School and graduated from Perkins County High School with the class of 1969.

Ernie grew up in Grant and spent time in Arizona before returning to Grant. He settled on an acreage southwest of Madrid, where he was in the process of building his dream home out of shipping containers, a project he tackled with the same practical, hands-on know-how that shaped the rest of his working life. A mechanic and welder by trade, he did custom work for local farmers and heavy equipment operators, and he had a real fondness for older engines and for fabricating vehicles out of parts he'd gathered up along the way. His talents and skill set enabled him to become a structural mover, which was something he was proud of. Model trains and model vehicles were a lifelong love. Growing up, he and his brothers kept a model railroad in their room that was the envy of anyone who saw it, and he and his brother Carl built go-carts and rode motorcycles when they were younger. Ernie liked figuring things out, taking them apart, and putting them back together better than he found them. Ernie always had a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephews, as well as their children.

Ernie was preceded in death by his grandparents; father, Charles Barnett; mother, Ila Loveta Barnett Short; stepfather, Don Short; brothers, Frank, Richard, and Carl Barnett; nephew, Steven Kelley; niece, Stephanie Wingo; sister-in-law, Sharon Barnett; and other extended family.

Survivors include his son, Russell Barnett of Limon, Colorado; brother, Jim Barnett of Yukon, Oklahoma; sisters, Norma and husband Tom Kelley of Altamonte Springs, Florida, Karon and husband Don Harris of Grant, Nebraska, Sharon and husband Joe Zavorka of Torrington, Wyoming, Kim Earl of Cheyenne, Wyoming; sister-in-law, Denise Barnett of Grant, Nebraska; nieces, Beth (Tim) Langness, Jennifer (Sean) Millar, Sharise (Butch) Lorenz, Megan (York) Zavorka Thomas, Molly (Lane) Brock, and Erin Earl; nephews, Jim Barnett Jr., Sean (Stephanie) Kelley, Michael (Jackie) Kelley, Justin (Amber) Barnett, Tyrel Barnett, Zach Harris, Ryan Zavorka (Jeanie Zamora), and Chris (Shannon) Zavorka.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Grant United Methodist Church with Pastor Spenser Johnson officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Grant.

A memorial has been established in Ernie's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.