Eugene Wayne Ernst of Auburn was a fifth generation Californian and a descendant of a pioneering family. He was born to Archie and Eleanor Ernst in Sacramento, CA. He graduated from Bella Vista High School in 1965. An Air Force Veteran , he worked in munitions and served 3 years in Taiwan, Thailand, South Vietnam and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1970. Gene met his wife, Betty, in 1978 and together they started a business at Denio's Market. In 1983 they opened Foothill Mattress Center of Grass Valley and have operated it continuously since then.Gene …