Earnest T. "Ernie" Weinmeister, 60, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 11 at 11:00 AM, at Highland Park Church with Pastor Mike Escen officiating.  There will be a family prayer service on Wednesday at 10:45 AM, at the church.  A visitation will be held for family and invited guests from 6:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 10th at Gass Haney Funeral Home.   Military honor will be given by The American Legion Hartman Hartman Post 84.  In lieu of flowers, memorials 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, Nebraska this summer.  The funeral service will be broadcast live on the Highland Park Ministries Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hpchurchne and Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057043736890

Earnest T. Weinmeister was born August 31, 1965, to Kathy Lynn Weinmeister (Watson) and Wayne William "Bill" Weinmeister in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.  He weighed only 2lbs 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 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, NE 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, Nebraska and Brett (Kamron) Rice of Henrietta, Texas; grandchildren Lucy, Ray, Eleanor, Mason and Charlee;
Father Wayne (Jody) Weinmeister of Morrill, Nebraska
Brother Erik Weinmeister of Columbus, Nebraska
Nieces and nephews; Taylor (Jacob) Hrdlicka, Zachary (Melea) Weinmeister, Collin (Sarah) Weinmeister;
Great nieces and nephews; Everly, Lacey, Myles, and Adelynne

Earnest was preceded in death by:
Mother; Kathy Lynn Weinmeister
Sister-in-law; Catherine Lynne Weinmeister
Grandparents; Henry and Mary Weinmeister, Vernon and Martha Watson