Eduard (Ed) Hans Weber, 90, loving father and devoted husband, was called home to his Lord on Saturday, June 6, 2015. Ed was born on October 1, 1924 in Appari, Cagayan Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands (P.I.). He grew up on his parent’s estate nearby in Tuguegaro, where they operated a tobacco brokerage business started after Ed’s grandfather emigrated from Germany in 1892. Ed’s high school education was interrupted when the Japanese invaded the P.I. on December 8, 1941. The Japanese occupation profoundly impacted his family, and Ed eventually joined the guerrilla fighters led by American POW escapees in January, 1945. Liberating American fighter-bombers ultimately destroyed Ed’s home, and he and his family escaped the incident with only their lives. Soon after the war ended, he joined the US Coast Guard Merchant Marine in August, 1945, serving as a 2nd officer until July 1946. Ed then returned to his education, graduating high school in Manila in April 1948.
Ed was accepted to the School of Mines in Butte in the fall of 1948 to study Geological Engineering. There he met his life-long love, Lola (Lou) Mae Reineman. They were married on June 16, 1951 at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Butte; the couple enjoyed nearly 64 years of “undeclared war,” as Lou light-heartedly maintains. During his time in Butte, Ed worked in various mines as a motorman and sampler, leading to many stories of underground adventures. Ed went on to attend Carroll College in Helena and graduated from MSU in Missoula in 1953. His brother Hans immigrated to the United States and lived with Ed and Lou while attending high school in Missoula. Both Ed and Hans were proud to become naturalized U.S. citizens in Montana. Ed was employed at the Montana Highway Department, retiring in 1987 from the materials inspection office.
Ed and Lou had four children, Erich Eduard, Renee Marie Louise, Kurt Matthew, and Matthew Francis. Ed enjoyed fishing, hunting, and an annual family camping trip to Twin Lakes in the Big Hole, along with spending time at his property on Bull Mountain south of Boulder. He was a handyman extraordinaire, repairing everything and manufacturing parts when needed. In complementary fashion, he was a certified Coleman lantern and stove repairman and a prodigious collector of antiques. He loved all animals and plants, and he was known for growing orchids and saving stray cats and wayward spiders. He enjoyed getting together with family and friends at every opportunity. Due to his unique upbringing, Ed enjoyed an unusual mix of traditional German, Filipino, and Spanish foods, and he adopted sausage making and bread baking as hobbies. He was fluent in the German, Spanish, and Filipino (Tagalog) languages.
Ed is survived by his wife, Lou, of Helena, his children Erich (Anne) of East Helena, Renee (Mike) of Lincoln, and Matt (Tracy) of Montana City, his brother Hans (Kathy) of Riverside, CA, five grandchildren — Corey (Sean) Butler of Evergreen, CO; Casey (Charlie) Siko of Boise, ID; Holly Weber of San Diego, CA; Jeff Weber of White Plains, NY; and Jessica Weber of Montana City — and three great-grandchildren. Ed is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Ann Wayrynen and Tyler Wayrynen of Butte, and Lola Hunter of Jacksonville, FL. Ed was predeceased by his parents, Hermann and Marie Louise, his son Kurt, and his dear childhood friend, Manual Ortiz.
Services in memory of Ed will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at noon at the Cathedral of St. Helena, with Msgr. Kevin O’Neill, V.G., officiating. A luncheon reception will follow the service at the Elks Club, 330 Lola St. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed toward the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, the Cathedral of St. Helena, the Public Land/Water Access Association or a charity of choice. Ed’s family wishes to thank Dr. Weiner and St. Peter’s Hospice for their concern and care. To offer condolences or to share a story about Ed, please visit www.helenafunerals.com.
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Chuck MIchaud says
My deepest sympathy to Ed’s family and friends. I have many found memories of Ed dating back to the early 70’s and will miss him. Chuck Michaud
Dennis L. House says
Ed was always a nice man to talk to. Ed used to com in to my pet store years ago and we always talked about his fish, he had great looking angels when I visited him at his house. He will be missed!
Dennis L. House
Mike Cochrane says
An impressive man who led amazing life! Blessed to have met him, heard his tales, and tasted his sausage and bread! RIP Ed! Peace and comfort to the Weber family.
Nancy Horn says
Ed was a wonderful friend with a great wit. We both belonged to the Great Divide Orchid Society and he was a treasure; I will miss him very much. Lou, I am so sorry for your loss!
Nancy Horn
Celia Farlan says
Salute to the best-ever sausage making instructor and great neighbor. My thoughts are with Lou and the family. Celia
Heidi Youmans says
Ed’s departure marks the end of an era in our neighborhood. I’ve missed our delightful alley conversations punctuated by belly laughs as well as interesting revelations. What a remarkable character he was! Clif and I have always said that if all humans had the capacity for kindness and empathy, as demonstrated by Ed and Lou and their “cat safe- house,” the world would be a much better place. We salute a life well-lived and convey our sympathies and best wishes to Lou and to all of Ed’s and Lou’s family members! Heidi and Clif Youmans
Gary Ingman says
I spent countless hours at the Weber household from age 7 to 17 as best friends with Erich. I was always made to feel like a member of the family and Ed and Lou always supported our interests and hobbies (well, maybe not the fireworks manufacturing part quite so much). Ed was like a second dad to me after my own father passed away when I was 11. Ed will be missed but never forgotten – my sincerest sympathies to all of the family.
Gary Ingman
Bud Michael says
I’m saddened today to learn of Ed’s passing. He and I were great friends through our common interest in collecting and sharing stories and information about Coleman lamps and lanterns. We corresponded frequently and chatted by phone from time to time always closing with “tap her light…” a reference to Ed’s mining school background, but moreover, a fond farewell…
Williams Family says
Condolences to the Weber family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says Jehovah God, “heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.” May God bring you comfort and peace.