Emil Neumann

Emil Alfred Neumann, 80, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend, passed away on August 26, 2018.  A Public Visitation will be held this Friday, August 31, from 5-7 PM at Croxford Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held the following day, Saturday, September 1, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1226 1st Ave N, Great Falls, with Burial and Military Honors to follow at Highland Cemetery.   A Celebration of Life reception will follow at the church.

Emil was born in Kolno, Poland on April 8, 1938 to Amalie and Adolf Neumann Sr.  Emil grew up in Poland, East Germany and West Germany before moving to Power, MT in 1954.  Emil lived on a farm and attended Power High School, graduating in 1958. He was then drafted into the US Army and served until he was honorably discharged in 1960.  Emil worked on the missile sites, for the Paris furniture store and helped his parents’ farm for seven years.  In the fall of 1962, Emil went to visit his sister in Germany and there he met his beloved Lidia Hennig.  They were married on January 4, 1963 in Herford, Germany.   In 1967, Emil and his brother Helmut bought their Dad’s farm and farmed and ranched together near Power for 40 years. 

Emil and Lidia taught their children many valuable life lessons that have helped them to succeed in life.  They set an example of love and commitment to each other having celebrated over 55 years of marriage.

Emil served on the Cascade County Committee for the USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) for nine years.  He was elected by local farmers and ranchers to help FSA administer farm programs and provide information to producers.

He was a man of strong faith and faithful member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Power.  He later transferred to Trinity Lutheran church in Great Falls when he moved off the farm.

Emil was an avid and active member of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL).  He held many board positions at the local and national level.  He attended LLL conventions across the United States and Canada for many years and chaired the national convention in Billings. Emil helped fulfill the LLL mission of "Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church".

Emil’s family was the focal point of his life and he was a special figure in the lives of all his children and grandchildren.  Everyone always just called him “Gramps”.  He never missed his kids or grandkids sporting events, concerts, graduation or special events.  He could often be found sitting behind home plate, keeping the score in his head and never missing a count or sitting in the stands always reminding the referees that he was present.

One of Emil’s favorite past times was telling stories about growing up in Germany and Poland during World War II and immigrating to the United States.  He eventually wrote a book and shared his life story and family tree with many friends and family. 

He enjoyed fishing, camping and family functions and would always say, “Now this is living!”  The family would remind him that “Every day is Father’s Day”.  He had an infectious smile and loved to tell jokes to make everyone else smile.  Gramps, we will always carry your memory in our hearts.  You will be missed, but not forgotten.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Lidia Neumann; daughters, Anita (Mark) Pecukonis of Norris, Doris (Neil) Hamm of Great Falls, Cindy (Brett) Stene of Great Falls; son James (Michelle) Neumann of Great Falls; sister, Alice Giese of Herford, Germany; grandchildren Susan (Connor) Schmidt, Josh Pecukonis, Kristen (Logan) Hunter, Donald Hamm, Christian Neumann, Emily Neumann, Ericka Neumann, Lacee Kuki, Logan Stene and Cody Stene; great grandchild Grayson Schmidt

Emil was preceded in death by his parents Amalie and Adolf Neumann Sr and brothers; Adolf Neumann Jr, Siegfried Neumann, Julius Neumann and Helmut Neumann.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or Lutheran Laymen’s League.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emil Neumann, please visit our floral store.