Ernest "Ernie" Noe Cote was born April 10, 1939 and ended his journey of life on earth January 2, 2022.  He was the 8th of 10 children born to Ovide and Amelia Cote of Rolette, North Dakota.  He was born and raised on a farm a few miles west of Thorne, ND. He later took over the family farm where he and his wife Barbara (Hiatt) raised their 6 children. The farm was a busy place with chores, planting and growing food for a large family, raising beef (Charolais) cattle, haying, fields of wheat, sunflowers and flax, ducks, chickens, a milk cow and sometimes pigs and sheep.

He had many jobs over the years where he became a Jack of all trades -a painter, bus driver, bartender, carpenter, plumber and electrician. There wasn't anything that he wouldn't try to build or repair. His talent for woodworking was shown in the items that he made for family and friends. His love for music was reflected in his ability to play the guitar, piano and accordion.

Ernest changed careers in 1980 when he became a field agent for Knights of Columbus for 15 years. After retiring from the K of C Ernest and Barbara traveled to many states visiting family and friends. Divorced in 2008, he then moved to Colorado in 2011. He later married Denese Perrier on December 6, 2014. He was deeply loved by Denese, her family, his church family and his friends.  His friendly personality and wide range of knowledge gave him the ability to talk to anyone about any topic. His boyish charm was shared with any beautiful lady with a pretty smile.  He would start a conversation with a stranger and later they would become friends.

Ernest is survived by his 2nd wife Denese (Perrier) and family, his first wife Barbara Gross (Hiatt) and their 6 children. Lynette Guss, Jeffrey (Patty), Duane (Cida), Nicole Cassidy, Ryan (Shanna) and Amelia Haefner, 27 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, his 4 sisters Leonide Crosby (ND), Marcella Keily (John)(CA), Rita Scharf (WA), Florence Helman (Don)(AL), brother-in-law Rod Phflugrath and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ovila Cote (Donna) and 4 sisters, Louise Boucher (Ales), Rose Alma Hancock (Doyle), Theresa Phflugrath and Bernadette Swenson (Don).

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Foursquare Church of Akron.  The service will be livestreamed on Youtube. https://youtu.be/DT7NjedUXTg

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 15, 2022 in Parker, Colorado.

A Celebration of Life gathering and inurnment of his ashes will be held in Thorne, North Dakota at the end of June.  Date and time to be determined.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.