His mother called him her “little Valentine” as Edward T. Jonutis was born on February 14, 1921, the second son of Stella and Joseph Jonutis, in a simple, two-room log cabin southeast of Miles City, miles from town and neighbors. His grandmother acted as midwife. Since no doctor was present for Ed’s birth, his parents had to apply for a Delayed Birth Certificate for him from the Custer County courthouse. Ed passed away in Billings, at age 96 on April 20, 2017.
Ed grew up a true cowboy on horseback on several homesteads along the Powder River. He loved his horses, Red Eagle and Dolly. As a child Ed had an encounter with a feral cat, which severely injured his right eye, but he managed to fool the doctors and joined the U.S. Army in 1942. While driving an Army jeep a wayward rock struck Ed’s left eye; now the vision of both eyes was compromised. Ed served as a combat medic in the Philippines until honorably discharged in 1946.
On return to Montana, Ed attended the Butte School of Mines while also working deep in the Butte mines on a blasting crew. He met Anne Kierzek at a dance in Miles City and they married in 1947. On the day of his wedding he was hired by the Miles City division of the Montana Highway Department. He explained about his wedding and the Department chief graciously granted him immediate time off for a brief honeymoon before starting work. After a short stint in the Miles City MDOT office, Ed was reassigned to the Glendive division where he became the first Chief Soils Engineer.
Ed and Anne purchased a few acres at the intersection of the Sidney and Bloomfield Highways. After a full day’s work at the Highway Department, he and Anne would toil long hours into the night and every weekend building fence, planting trees, designing and eventually constructing their own home.
After 27 years, Ed retired from the Montana Department of Transportation. Upon his retirement, Ed and Anne started Country Auto Sales, and operated this small business for the next twenty years from the horse pasture next to their home.
Flying was Ed’s passion. He loved watching meadowlarks and other birds in flight, which led him to become a pilot in 1960, no small feat considering his vision issues. He eventually owned several different airplanes, but he loved his Beechcraft Bonanzas the most. Ed and Anne made many flights together around the lower 48 states.
Anne and Ed recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
They were blessed with four children who survive him: Bobi (Gene) Allard, Stan Jonutis, Jo Anne (Gary) Herem and Jim (Donna) Jonutis. They have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ed is also survived by his younger brother, C. John Jonutis and close childhood friend of 90 years, Norman Ovitt.
Ed’s older brother, Joe Jonutis, Jr. and younger sister, Lillian Jonutis, preceded him in death.
Ed was proud of his military service. The family would like to thank those many strangers who, upon observing the “WWII Veteran” hat Ed always wore, anonymously paid for his restaurant meals, put him to the front of a line, or made other respectful considerations. He never failed to mention these thoughtful acts to family and friends. In fact, for those who wish to make a memorial, the family requests you pay forward these kindnesses to military personnel.
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of arrangements. The family is planning a private Catholic service with burial at the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Miles City at a later date. And Dad, from Mom and your kids: “Iniibig Kita.”