John Paul Zumpf passed away on December 30, 2021, at his home in the presence of his family. He was born April 9, 1940, to Earl and Margaret (Scheer) Zumpf in Maddock, ND. He spent his childhood in Hamberg, ND and attended grade school there. He graduated from high school in Fessenden, ND. While in high school he served as Vice President of the North Dakota State Young Citizens League. Following high school, he attended the North Dakota School of Forestry (now called Dakota College) at Bottineau, ND. During his time there, John earned the title of 1960 District Featherweight Champion Golden Gloves Boxer. Following graduation from the School of Forestry, John continued his education at North Dakota Agriculture College (now called NDSU) in Fargo, ND, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1964.
During his senior year in college, John met a farm girl who caught his eye and stole his heart when she cooked him a dinner of fried pheasant and rabbit. On September 1, 1963, John married Ethana Spear and they began their life together in Fargo, ND. In 1964, he began his career with John Deere Co. in Rochester, MN, subsequently moved to Minot, ND. Two sons were added to the family in Minot. Two years later, he moved his family to Hutchinson, MN. In the spring of 1967, he left John Deere corporate and moved to Bozeman, MT, to work for a John Deere dealer. In 1969, he went to work for Horizon Equipment in Miles City, MT. It is here that the family put down roots and a daughter was added to the family.
John was a member of First Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon and on the church council. He was also a member of the Lions Club, past president of the Miles City Club, and served a term on the Unified School District Board.
After building two dining tables and several accessories for his home, John announced that he was through working with wood and wanted to work with metal! Thus, began his hobby of building model engines, preferring the internal combustion type. Locally, he demonstrated his engines at the Custer County Fair and at Pioneer Days at the Range Riders Museum. He also took them to Model Engineering Shows in Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Estevan, Saskatchewan.
John is survived by Ethana, his wife of 58 years; his children Paul Zumpf, Steven (LeAnn) Zumpf, and Doreen (David) Withee; four grandchildren Kylan, Brylee, and Nathaniel Zumpf, and Ricky Cooper; three great-grandchildren Aiden and Aro Zumpf, and Kiara Cooper; sister-in-law Shirley Zumpf; brother-in-law Noel Spear and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother David.
Family will Receive Friends on Monday, January 3, 2022 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Miles City.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church, The Range Riders Museum or a charity of your choice.
Joanne Richardson says
Ethana, Steve, Paul, Doreen and families,
My sincere sympathy to all your family at this difficult time. May time help heal your loss and may John rest in eternal peace. Remembering each of you in prayer at this time.
Tammy Mallett Pecha says
SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles says
Dear Ethana and family, I’m so sorry about John. I will be keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers. He was a good man.
Mary Ann
Carole Diede says
It is so hard to find words of comfort for those who are experiencing a significant loss like yours. May all of you find peace in knowing that John can now rest in eternal peace . I will remember him as a solid man who quietly demonstrated his love for his family. It is my hope that your memories of him will sustain you in the weeks and months to come.
Kelly Tytlandsvik says
So sorry for your Loss! It was always a pleasure to display engines with John as well to have John and Ethana attend the Estevan Model Engineering Show.
Jessie Leidholt says
In 1975 Jim and I moved back to Miles City. We built a house next door to The Zumphs. This was a blessing because they were/are the best neighbors that anyone could have. To all of the family we send our love and prayers.
Al Homme says
John was a good Man, I enjoyed knowing him
Al and Glady.Turnquist says
We are so sorry for your loss. You.are in our thoughts and.prayers. God Bless you.A
Al and Glady.Turnquist says
We are so sorry for your loss. You.are in our thoughts and.prayers. God Bless you.
Greg Johnston says
Good friend and a true gentleman. I will miss you.
Colleen Young says
Ethana,
Our sincere condolences to you and your family in the loss of John. We will miss our visits at the model engineering shows. May you find comfort knowing others share your loss and will be praying for you as you go through this very difficult time.
Collen and Merv Young
George & Maggie Holom says
Ethana and family, We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow. May John rest in Peace.
Tom and Lillian Ostendorf says
Heaven gained a special angel. We are so sorry for your family’s loss.
Terri and Rusty Izatt says
Ethana and family, so sorry to hear of John’s passing. May all the memories you have of John help you through this difficult time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
gordon dovre says
John was a man of many talents, even music. Always wished I could have played my saxophone as well as he played his.
Karen Williamson says
Ethana, dear heart,
I am saddened by the loss of John, but at the same time grateful for all the good times we shared and for his friendship. He was always so kind and humble. I’m sure he and Gordon were kindred spirits. Please know my thoughts are with you and your dear family.
God’s love and mine, Karen Williamson
Eileen Entzel says
Sorry for your loss Our prayers and thoughts are with you
Don Grimm says
John’s loss is a heavy burden, but I am so grateful for his friendship and his influence over the years. God’s love sustain you and your family.
Bob and Judy Reed says
Ethana, Please accept our Condolences, our thoughts being with You and your Family!!
I appreciated Your Friendship to my Aunt Rosalie!
Frank Tooke says
John was successful in every endeavor and a stellar member of the community. I am sorry to note his passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Craig and Jackee Randall says
So very sorry to hear about John. I have pleasant memories of him.
Dale Ellingson says
John and I shared many activities in the early days. Many hours were spent competitive shooting and hunting. We spent many hours up north fishing on portage trips on rivers into chains of lakes. He was always a determined hard worker. John was my roommate in college. We enjoyed the challenge of trouble shooting and problem solving to keep old cars running. Many treasured memories were given to me by my friend John.
Phil Anderson says
Sorry for your loss peace be to the Zumpf family
jerry struck says
Will miss our conversations with John,always enjoyed talking to him about his hobbies and prairie dog hunting, he loved talking guns and machine work. He will be missed by all. he was one of the good guys!
Jerry and Gayle Struck
Connie Zumpf says
Ethana, Paul, Steven, and Doreen, I am so very sorry for your loss. John was a good man, a good citizen, and devoted to his family. He was a lucky guy to have such a loving family. May your treasured memories sustain you in this difficult time.
Bob Phalen says
Ethana and family,
I worked with John in late 70’s early 1980. He was a good man. God bless you all and keep your eyes on Jesus.
Bob Phalen
Andrea carlson says
Dearest Ethana. My deepest sympathy for such a terrible loss.
Remembrance is the golden chain that links you til you meet again. Much love and prayers to you and the family.
Duane Burkenpas says
Duane Burkenpas says
John’s family and many friends who loved him,
In 1967, John came to work at Gallatin Equipment Co., our John Deere dealership, in Bozeman, Montana, with his family. It was during his time with us that a lasting friendship developed, never to be forgotten. John left us to later become the John Deere dealer, Horizon Equipment Co. in Miles City. During those times John and Ethana made occasional trips through Bozeman, never failing to stop and visit for a short time, to reminisce about old times, funny happenings, and our friendship. John, I will miss you, with tears down my face as I write this.
Don Vellenga says
Ethana and Zumpf Family, I am sorry to hear of the passing of John Zumpf…. peace to you and your family.
Sandra Sundem says
Ethana and Family, I too was born in Hamburg ND and am the same age as John. We used to play together as young children. My maiden name is Sandra Lee Kro. After Hamburg we moved to Fessenden and John and I finished high school graduating in 1959. In 2014 the graduating class of 1959 had their last reunion in the Minneapolis MN area at my home and the home of James Lloyd a fellow classmate. Sending Love and prayers to the family in these stressful, sad times. God’s Blessings
William & Sharon Zumpf says
Ethana, Paul, Steven, and Doreen, our sympathy, thoughts and prayers are for you. May the peace of the Lord be with you.
PETE AND JUNE MINOW says
Ethana and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Scott & Voni Tally says
We are so sorry for your loss- prayers for you Ethana & family!
Norene and Rod Stieg says
Ethan and family, we are so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Keeping all of you in our prayers. Rest in peace John.
Edythe Auringer says
John and I grew up together in Hamberg. I can still see him and David sitting on the couch at the post office rocking back and forth. Good memories of our little town and the people in it!! I tried to stop and see Earl and Margaret each summer when back in ND as they were dear friends to my mother also.
My sympathy goes out to your family in your loss.
Edythe Liudahl Auringer
Kathy (Dukart)Lindemann says
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ken & Alane Stabler says
So sorry to hear of your loss. In our thoughts and prayers
God Bless
Dorothy Thompson says
Ethana, so very sorry to hear about John. We grew up together in that crazy little town of Hamberg. We went to grade school and later HS in Fessenden. Quite a step up from Hamburg. After HS we went our separate ways in life. I remember John as a decent upright American citizen and Christian man. He valued a simple life. Something I find so wonderful as I grow older. Life on the prairie was pretty darn good. I know John was a stellar husband, grandfather and friend. He is in peace and hurting no more. Love to all the Zumpf family. Dodie Thompson, Savannah, GA.
Shirley Lund says
Ethana, Paul, Steve, Doreen & families,
My sincere sympathy in your loss of John. May God bless each of you with peace & comfort as your share precious memories of John.
Hal Hains says
I’m sorry to hear of Johns passing. I didn’t learn about it until it was to late to attend his services.
I always enjoyed talking with John, I learned something every time. John was a fine craft an and his work was top notch.
Eathana and John always make you feel welcome in their home.
My sincere sympathy.