Earnest J. Hengst, 65, a resident of Las Vegas for 25 years, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014.He was born on Nov. 7, 1948, in Victoria, Texas, to the late Earnest Julius Hengst and Ola Belle Priddy-Hengst.He received a degree in marketing from Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. and a master's of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in Clayton, Mo. He farmed in the Mississippi Delta with his father and brother after having served four years in the United States Navy.He was united in marriage with Karen Schoppa on July 18, 1981, in St. Louis, Mo.He was a loving husband, father and Pops to his grandchildren. His kind and patient nature were a blessing to all who knew him. His greatest desire was to serve the Lord and lead others to faith in Jesus. He pastored churches in Clara, Texas; and Copperas Cove, Texas; before moving to New Mexico in 1989. He served Immanuel Lutheran Church in both Las Vegas and Springer for 20 years. He also served as Chaplain at the State Hospital. He coached little league, home-schooled his children and was an avid baseball fan.He is preceded in death by his parents.He is survived by his wife, Karen Hengst of Las Vegas; children, Jordan Hengst and wife, Karissa of Colorado Springs, Colo., Abby Hengst of Colorado Springs, Adam Hengst and wife, Heidi of Williamsburg, Va.; Nick Hengst and wife, Janae of Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren, Kynlee, Jaxson, Katilyn, Adelaide, August and Emerie, with two more grandchildren due this summer; sister and brothers, Charlotte Baker of Vicksburg, Miss.; Tommy Hengst and wife, Pam of Rolling Fork, Miss.; Randy Hengst and wife, Tyann of Cary, Miss.; mother-in-law, Dorothy Schoppa; father-in-law, Robert Schoppa, both of Amarillo, Texas; brothers and sisters-in-law, Keith Schoppa and wife, Beth of Towson, Md., Janis Nafzger and husband, Sam of Washington, Mo., Debbie Schoppa of Tampa, Fla.; Nancy Duensing and husband, Paul of Denver, Colo.; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends, Wayne and Shelly Sonchar of Las Vegas, Joe and Kirsten Garofalo of San Jose, Jeff and Maxine Hughes of Las Vegas, Charles and Judy Wesley of Quitman, La.Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2100 Seventh St., Las Vegas, with Pastor Joe Garofalo officiating. Cremation has taken place and burial will be held at a later date in Iowa Park, Texas.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: World Vision P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063; 888-511-6519 (Code #105429639)Visit Rogers Mortuary's website: www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign their online register book.Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas, 1-800-479-3511 or 425-3511.