Earnest T. "Ernie" Weinmeister, 60, of Columbus, died Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at the Columbus Community Hospital.
Earnest T. Weinmeister was born Aug. 31, 1965, to Kathy Lynn (Watson) Weinmeister and Wayne William “Bill” Weinmeister in Scottsbluff. He weighed only 2 lbs. 14.5oz. His passion for hunting and guns was instilled in him at an early age by his grandpa Watson. One of his fondest memories was going out in the white ford pickup in the bitter cold with Grandpa. At 10 years old, Ernie got a 16-gauge shot gun, the first of many guns he would acquire in his lifetime. Many days were spent hunting and fishing with his best friend, Tom.
Ernie graduated from Mitchell High School in 1984 and was anxious to head to boot camp to become a Marine. Shooting guns, not artillery, was his dream. After serving his country for several years, he obtained the rank of Corporal, having served at duty stations such as 29 Palms and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Recently, Ernie went to the Hy-Vee Veteran’s breakfast and exchanged several “Semper Fi’s” with other marines. It was well known he loved his country.
After leaving the military, he decided to pursue his love of machinery by attending Wyoming Tech to become a certified diesel mechanic. While there, he qualified to be a part of a John Deere training program. Over the next several years Ernie worked at John Deere and drove a semi for his dad among a few other jobs. Eventually, he combined his love of diesel and driving by becoming an engineer for Union Pacific.
In 2005, he was united in marriage to Cheri Hoxworth. One of his greatest joys was becoming an “instant dad” to his stepdaughters, Kayla and Brett. During this time, he was involved in an accident while driving out to a train. This left him unable to continue in this line of work.
Despite his and Cheri’s divorce, Ernie remained a big part of the girls’ lives. He eventually took a job with Purina in Crete, at the suggestion of his cousin, Greg. Having family at this end of the state made the transition a little easier.
Ernie’s love and involvement with the girls was life changing. As good as it was for him to be “dad” for the girls, it was even better when he was promoted to “pops” for his grandchildren: Lucy, Ray, Eleanor, Mason, and Charlee. His heart was full of love for those kids.
Two years ago, Ernie moved to Columbus on the promise from his brother Erik that he could almost certainly get a job in three days or less. On his first Sunday in Columbus, a casual conversation at church regarding Ernie’s love for farming and expertise as a John Deere mechanic caught the ear of his soon-to-be bosses, Ryan and June Loeske.
Ernie started at the farm three days after he moved. People often joked that if Ernie ever won the lottery, he would buy a farm and a new John Deere tractor. When he began working for Ryan and June that dream truly came to life. He was well loved as “Mr. Ernie” to the Loeske’s grandkids and also loved spending time with Erik’s grandkids.
No matter what he was doing when his grand nieces and nephews came over, he made time to come upstairs and get down on the floor to play and read with them. Many may not have known this side of Ernie - some just know the straight shooting, tattooed, Harley driving marine - but he was also the most protective and loving person his family could have asked for.
Earnest is survived by stepdaughters, Kayla (Rich) Roberts of Bridgeport, and Brett (Kamron) Rice of Henrietta, Texas; grandchildren, Lucy, Ray, Eleanor, Mason and Charlee; father, Wayne (Jody) Weinmeister of Morrill; brother, Erik Weinmeister of Columbus; nieces and nephews, Taylor (Jacob) Hrdlicka, Zachary (Melea) Weinmeister, amd Collin (Sarah) Weinmeister; great-nieces and nephews, Everly, Lacey, Myles, and Adelynne
The funeral service will be Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m., at Highland Park Church with Pastor Mike Escen officiating. A visitation will be held for family and invited guests from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Gass Haney Funeral Home in Columbus. Military honor will be given by The American Legion Hartman Hartman Post 84. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Tunnels to Tower Foundation. Earnest wishes were to be cremated, and his ashes spread at sea. A Celebration of Life will be held in Mitchell this summer.
Arrangements by Gass Haney Funeral Home.
