Henry C "Butch" Neumann

Henry C "Butch" Neumann, age 87 of Corcoran, passed away January 5, 2026 at St Therese of Corcoran.

Preceded in death by parents, Joseph Henry and Sophie (Blackowiak) Neumann; daughter, Connie Gleason; grandson, Sam Schumm; brother, Paul Neumann; sister, Shirley Faue; baby sister, Florence; and brother-in-law, Archie Sonenstahl.

Survived by loving wife, Marian (Pouliot) for 66 ½ years; daughter, Debbie (Randy) Schumm; sons, Jerry (Julie) Neumann, Randy (Lisa) Neumann, Scott Neumann, Jon (Karen) Neumann; son-in-law and daughter-in-law, Corky and Teri (Polzin) Gleason. Adored grandpa to 12 grandchildren, Sara, Jessica (Rich), Jake (Kelsey), Jelena, Geoff (Vanessa), Alicia (Dan), Lauren (Matt), Ryan (Hannah), Joe (Josie), Dana (Brandon), Brigitte and Madisyn; 10 great grandchildren, Katelyn, Hannah, Whitney, Claire, Emily, Connor, Alex, Holly, Quinn and Emma; sister, Toots Sonenstahl; sister-in-law, Seese Neumann; brother-in-law, Don Faue; many friends and relatives.

At the age of 16, Butch had various jobs to make a buck. He pumped gas at the Hamel Mobil Station, did yard work and errands for Pat and Joe Raskob. In 1956 Medina Entertainment Center was built. He was the first bowling pin setter for the bowling alley. He did various jobs at Medina Entertainment Center and one evening was sent on an errand to get a product for the kitchen. He went to uptown Hamel and on the way back, coming down the depot hill he slid into a train. He was very lucky to have survived that accident. Butch was soon back to work at the bowling alley, and it was there that he met Marian, his future wife. Their wedding was July 18, 1959.

Butch worked at Soo Line Railroad, had various trucking jobs, and eventually became part owner of Medina Mileage gas station in Hamel (now Casey's at 55 and 116). An explosion destroyed the building in January of 1960. He had a tow truck and snowplow jobs. He then worked construction with C.S. McCrossan, J.V. Gleason Co. and Vickerman Steel to name a few. In 1979-80 he started his own business, Neumann's Enterprise. He continued with his business for 34 years until he had heart surgery and a stroke in December of 2012 which ended his construction business.

Butch had an outstanding work ethic which he passed down to his kids. No stone was left unturned. He was always ready and willing to help anyone. Whether it was a quick welding job or someone who needed a special tool or help a neighbor.

He belonged to many organizations, including the Hamel Fire Department where he volunteered for many years and eventually became Assistant Fire Chief. Butch belonged to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Emergency Squad and Hamel and Corcoran athletic clubs. He was a charter member of the Hamel Sno-Runners snowmobile club, Northwest Trails snowmobile club, and Millle Lacs Trails snowmobile club. He was an avid snowmobiler and racer for Medina Sales Company.

In 1966 he purchased the schoolhouse on Larkin Road and remodeled it for their home. Butch was a faithful member of St. Thomas Church and did a lot of volunteer work for the church. He did the snow removal for many years. He built tents and every year one was donated to use at the annual Parish Festival. They are still used to this day. With his backhoe he dug the lines for drain tile in the large gravel parking lot of the church.

Soon Butch's passion went to tractor pulling, and he became a charter member of Minnesota Mini-Rod tractor pullers Association. His enthusiasm for tractor pulling led to getting the Corcoran Lions interested in hosting tractor pulls. Mission accomplished. In 1975-76 Corcoran Lions hosted their first tractor pull. He then became a member of the Corcoran Lions Club. In 1990 he received the Melvin Jones award from Lions International and many other Lions Club awards. To this day they still have tractor pulls and demo derby's, initiated by the Neumann family at the Lions Park. Butch used his equipment to do much work at the park for the Hennepin County Fair and Hamel Rodeo, also at the Lions Park. Next came West Metro Motorsports. This event was motocross racing at the Lions Park and was initiated by family. He had a big interest in car racing and sponsored many young drivers, including his son-in-law Randy Schumm and Corcoran resident Dave Cain, 2-C.

He never stopped thinking of what he could build next. Give him a welder and some steel and away he would go. He built many wood stoves, many trailers and much more. He built the first drag for Northwest Trails snowmobile groomer. No wonder he was called a "workaholic".

Butch had a love for dogs all his life. He had may different breeds, and his most loved were his mini-pinchers, Scooter and Lacey.

Butch and Marian moved to the new St Therese of Corcoran in September of 2024.

Services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am with visitation at 9:30 am at St Thomas Catholic Church in Corcoran. Inurnment at St. Jeanne de Chantel Cemetery in Corcoran at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to family.