Ernest William "Ernie" Kouba, 89, Minot, formerly of Towner, entered his heavenly home on January 25, 2019 in Minot, ND.

Ernie was born to William and Albina (Greciar) Kouba on July 12, 1929, on a farmstead in Walsh county near Grafton, ND. He was raised and educated in the Pisek area. Ernie was always proud that his life was so successful with a country school 8th grade education. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in December, 1948 at Fort Riley, Kansas. He proudly served our country in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division until 1951, when he was honorably discharged.

Ernie was united in marriage to Corrine Clarice Linstad on July 10, 1952, at the Quale Lutheran Church near Lankin, ND. They began their married life in Hallock, MN, where he was employed at the GTA elevator. In 1953, they moved to Palermo, ND, when he became the GTA elevator manager. Towner, ND became their home, in 1964, when he became a GTA Line Superintendent. Ernie was promoted to a Field Manager with Harvest States in 1974. He retired in August 1991. Ernie truly enjoyed his profession and made lifelong friends with the people he met throughout his career.

Ernie lived life to the fullest with people who shared the same interests. He believed in community service and participated in several community groups. Ernie was active in the American Legion as a District and Region Commander. He received the American Legion National Achievement Award in May of 1974. As a Jaycee member, he received the Outstanding Young Businessman Award in 1962. He was active in the State Amateur Baseball Committee, Legion State Athletic Committee, and Mountrail County Park Board which established the Van Hook Park. In Towner, Ernie participated in the Housing Commission, Commercial Club, Booster Club, Golf Club, PTA, City Commission, Economic Development Committee, Fire Department, City Council, and Zion Lutheran Church Council.

A group of men that he spent time with in Stanley, ND were the Mountrailsmen. They were music ambassadors for the area and cut an album. They loved music and became lifelong friends.

Fishing, hunting, golfing, and gardening were Ernie's passions.  He loved being outdoors and being active. Most people who knew Ernie said "he acts like he is 70" even when he was 85 years old. In Towner, he was known for being the "World Champion Crane Caller" and the Bohemian "lutefisk chef" at the annual Zion Lutheran Church fall dinner. He loved fishing with his buddies at Lake Kississing, Manitoba, driving back and forth several times a day to his prized garden in his old Dodge Ram pickup, and wearing his crazy cowboy hat while cheering on the TGU football and basketball teams. Ernie will always be remembered for dancing the jig, making Bohemian dumplings with his grandchildren, and cooking food at the Palm Gardens Park in Mesa, Arizona. Many children and families fondly will remember Ernie as he helped "Santa" every Christmas around Towner.

Ernie and Corrine spent the winters in Mesa, Arizona and enjoyed their summer cabin at Lake Metigoshe. The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Dodgers were his ultimate sports teams.

Throughout his life, Ernie taught his family to be gracious, caring, respectful, and to remember that family and friends are truly what matters most. He never said a negative word about anyone. He was the most patient, loving, funny, and genuine husband and father a family could have hoped for.

Nazdravi good steward!

His loving family includes : his wife of 66 years, Corrine; his children and their spouses, Julie (Tim) Benson, Minot, ND; Terry (Juliana Burckhard) Kouba, Dubuque, Iowa; and Kevin (Terri Jo Loock) Kouba, Milbank, SD.

He dearly loved his eight grandchildren: Breanna Benson, Abby (Mark) Colvin, Jessica (Trevor) Deutmeyer, Miranda (Quinn) O'Brien, Caitlin Kouba (fiancee Jai Courter), Loock Kouba, Leah Kouba, and Kellen (Amy) Kouba.

His eight great grandchildren Vivian Colvin, Charlotte Colvin, Gabe Deutmeyer, Henry Deutmeyer, Juliana Deutmeyer, Thomas O'Brien, Joseph O'Brien and Kai Kouba always brought a smile to his face.

His family also includes his brother: Duane "Shorty" Kouba, Savage, MN; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clayton (Avis) Linstad, Petersburg, ND; Merlin (Ann) Linstad, Fordville, ND; Wayne (Claris) Linstad, Bemidji, MN; Marilyn Linstad, Fordville, ND; and Judy Linstad, Park River, ND; several nieces and nephews.

Ernie is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Cecil Kouba and Leonard Kouba; sister, Eloise (Kouba) Langowski; sisters-in-law, Eleanor Close, Mary Alice Kouba, Margaret Kouba, Violet Kouba, Marilyn Kouba, and infant sister-in-law Vivian Linstad; brothers-in-law, Marvin Linstad, Raymond Linstad, Emil Langowski, and Howard Close.

Ernie's family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff members of Trinity Cancer Center, Trinity Hospice, the View Assisted Living Center, and the Thomas Family Funeral Home for their professionalism, loving care, and genuine concern.

Visitation : Friday, February 1, 2019 from 4:00 - 6:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church, Towner, ND.

Celebration of the Life of Ernest W. Kouba : Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 2:00pm at Zion Lutheran Church, Towner, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to Zion Lutheran Church, 107 4th Ave. SW, Towner, ND 58788 for a sound system project.

Kouba Flower Pictures