Ernest ‘Ernie’ Adelbert Neumann, 94

Ernest “Ernie” Adelbert Neumann, 94, of Coeur d’Alene, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 12, 2018, with his wife by his side.

Ernie Neumann was born in Big Timber, Mont., on Dec. 4, 1923, to Arthur and Margaret Neumann. He grew up in Reed Point, Mont., a small town known for its sheep drives. Ernie often spoke of the many happy memories of his childhood. Specifically, growing up with his two sisters and numerous cousins and the time they spent picnicking on the Boulder River. Reed Point High school was small, but was able to field a basketball team, which he enjoyed playing on. His first job was delivering newspapers by car at age 11!

After graduating high school in Reed Point, Ernie attended Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont., through the end of his sophomore year studying for a career in medicine. In 1943, he was inducted into the Army and sent to Texas and Denver to train as a Combat Medic. In June 1944, he was assigned to the 2nd Medical Battalion attached to the 9th Regiment and 2nd Infantry Division, which deployed to serve in World War II. The 2nd ID landed at Normandy, France in June 1944, and fought through France. It was at the Battle of Brest in France where Ernie was wounded in August while rescuing an injured soldier, and received a Purple Heart as the result of his actions.

After a brief period of recuperation in London, Ernie worked assisting doctors as they performed surgeries on wounded soldiers in a London hospital. In January he returned to his unit and resumed his job as a combat medic. The 2nd ID continued to push through Belgium during what was an unseasonably cold winter. Ernie’s unit continued through Germany until his unit reached Czechoslovakia, in the spring of 1945. The Czech people welcomed them as liberators, and Ernie befriended a Czech family that he kept in contact with at Christmas every year for the next 20 years.

He returned home to finish college at Montana State, with his life forever changed by what he had experienced throughout the war. He graduated with a degree in chemistry and went to work in the Bozeman hospital, where he met the love of his life, Rudean Jorde, who was also working at the hospital in the medical records department. Ernie and Rudean were married in Bozeman on Dec. 30, 1949. They moved to Billings, Mont., then to Miles City, Mont., where he started working for Buttery Foods. They then moved to Idaho where he was part of Buttrey’s management team for the rest of his career until retiring in Coeur d’Alene in 1986. Ernie was known for his honest dealings and great customer service.

Ernie and Rudean enjoyed the outdoors, golfing, skiing, fishing for kokanee on Lake Coeur d’Alene and traveling with family. He also enjoyed playing the organ, and photography — leaving a wonderful collection of photos and movies of the family and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, at Christ The King Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery with Military Honors.

He is survived by his wife, Rudean, of 68 years; his daughter, Lynn (Fred) Watkins; his son, David (Suzanne) Neumann; daughter Julie (Kevin) Kincheloe; five grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren; sisters Elda Kincaid of Fort Worth, Texas, and Jeri Roukema of Billings.

Ernie was a humble and loving man who lived an ordinary yet extraordinary life. He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, and a member of the local VFW.

Memorials in honor of Ernie may be sent to Hospice of North Idaho and the military ministry of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Ernie’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.