Ernest W."Ernie" Brace, 71, of Ironwood, died unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, in his home.      He was born May 6, 1940, in the family home at Little Girl's Point in Ironwood Township, son of the late David Brace and Dorothy (Johnson) Brace Falesnik, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1958. He then served in the U.S. Army for two years in Korea.      Following his discharge, Ernie worked as a welder in Milwaukee, then was employed as production manager for 30 years in Winthrop Harbor, Ill for the Dexter Corp., retiring in 1995 and returning to Little Girl's Point. He then moved back to Winthrop Harbor in 1999 and eventually to Ironwood in 2006. In his retirement, he was employed as a security guard for the Cancer Research Center in Zion, Ill.      Ernie was a life member of Ironwood Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1823, and a member of the Aurora Athletic Club and the Norrie Amateur Sports Club. He loved hunting and the outdoors, and especially enjoyed riding his all terrain vehicle at Little Girl's Point.      He was married to Ollie Hamm on Sept. 22, 1965, in Winthrop Harbor. She preceded him in death on Nov. 19, 2006.      Surviving are a daughter, Lori Russell, of Oklahoma; two brothers, Donald, of Ironwood, and Kenneth, Little Girl's Point; a sister, Jean (Loyd) Wilbanks, Ironwood Township; the love of his life, Jean Wiita, of Wakefield; three step-children, Denise (Max) Maxfield, Ariz., Lisa (Bill) Orrick, Winthrop Harbor, and Brenda Braun, Jerome, Mich.; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and his feline friend Smokey.      Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Janice Cummings; step-son, Steve Gilmore; and two step-grandchildren.      Cremation has taken place.      A memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept. 15, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St. in Ironwood, with the Rev. Todd Winkler officiating.      Committal will take place at the funeral home, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.      Luncheon will follow at the Iron Nugget in downtown Hurley.      Private inurnment will be in Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township.      To view Ernie's obituary online, sign his guestbook or offer condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.