Max Linnemeyer Obituary

Max Duane Linnemeyer (89) passed away at the Schneidmiller Hospice House on July 12, 2025. He was born to Carl and Shirley (Curless) Linnemeyer on June 27, 1936, in Bonners Ferry, ID. Max grew up in Bonners Ferry and attended school there through the 8th grade. To help support his family, Max left school and went to work for the local railroad. While working with the railroad in Montana, Max met and married Wilma Doney. The couple had 4 children and made their home in Bonners Ferry. The marriage ended in divorce a few years later. He worked for the local lumber mill in Bonners before moving to St. Maries, ID where he went to work as a millwright for Regulus Stud Mills, Inc. His brother Ron followed, and after 5 years with Regulus he went logging for several of the local loggers. He met Jan Sundell through her mutual friend and his sister-in-law Lynn Linnemeyer. The couple married on October 14, 1972, in Coeur d' Alene, and they made St. Maries their permanent home. Max worked for LaJack where he ran heavy equipment building roads, plowing snow, and served as the mechanic. In 2008 he retired from LaJack and enjoyed life at a little slower pace. When growing up, Max loved fast cars, and he was a little wild in his youth. He enjoyed spending time with his family, and when he was younger, he enjoyed taking his kids and grandkids out on the boat. Driving up 2nd street, most notably is the well-groomed Linnemeyer yard. Although gardening wasn't a big hobby of Max's, he grew big and beautiful tomato plants. He took pride in his yard, and it was the best manicured lawn on the block. He also enjoyed tinkering and working on all sorts of things. Once Jan retired, the couple began to travel a little. Max didn't like traveling, but he loved and enjoyed the destination. In his later years, he became a homebody and was a simple man. His personality was reserved and quiet, but he possessed a dry sense of humor and really was funny. He was also stoic but sensitive and was just downright a good man. Max is survived by his wife Jan at their home in St. Maries; children Michael Linnemeyer of Stevensville, MT, Larry Linnemeyer of Post Falls, ID, and William Linnemeyer of Colorado; siblings Art Linnemeyer of Bonners Ferry, ID, Steve Linnemeyer of Baker, OR, and Karlene and Dan McDonald of Bonners Ferry, ID; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; daughter Julie Ratcliff; and siblings Bonnie Brown, Larry Linnemeyer, and Ron Linnemeyer. Thank you, Jessica and family, for all of your support, we love you.