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BORN
1942
DIED
2024
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Howard VanMinsel Obituary
Howard was born on June 1, 1942 in Waumandee, WI, to August and Elsie (Doebbert) Van Minsel and was the youngest of seven children. His mother Elsie (Doebbert) passed away when Howard was three years old. He was blessed and forever thankful when his father married his second mother, Elsie (Haesler-Olson) at age eleven. He attended public school in Buffalo City, WI and Caledonia, MN. He was never shy of a hard days work, and found employment as a farm hand through his teen years.
He joined the United States Army in November of 1960 and was honorably discharged in November of 1963.
Howard married the love of his life, Arlene Moen on July 12, 1964 in Caledonia, MN. He started his career with Kruckow Construction after he was discharged from the United States Army where he operated earth moving equipment building a dam near Viroqua, WI. His desire to be self-employed was fulfilled as an owner-operator from 1974-2007, hauling anything from bombs to birdseed and a lot in between. He traveled through the lower 48 states, Puerto Rico and the majority of Canada. After a significant injury brought an early and unwelcome retirement at age 65, he beat the odds and was behind the wheel two years returning to Kruckow more than 50 years after his first employment with them. In semi-retirement, he worked at the Houston County Recycling Center up until the age of 81.
Howard's expectations of others were no different than the code he lived by...family first, honesty and hard work. He was proud of the life he built with Arlene. His children and grandchildren were his absolute pride and joy.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Arlene; son Wayne Van Minsel; daughter Heather Edgington; grandchildren Grace, Mariah and Dane Edgington. Sisters-in-law Elaine Van Minsel, Mari Jean Van Minsel, Marcene Van Minsel, Victoria Sazama, Andrea (Todd) Oliverius; brothers-in-law Adrian (Pat) Moen, Arden (Terry) Moen, Andre Moen, Alvin Moen and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents August, Elsie and Elsie; siblings, Leo Van Minsel, Arvilla Burmeister, Jack Van Minsel, Alan Van Minsel, Earl Van Minsel, Kenny (Carol) Van Minsel and Charlene (Bernie) Hansen.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at Giants of the Earth, 163 Main Street, Spring Grove, MN on Sunday, December 1st from 1-4 pm. A private service with Military Honors will be held at 3pm Wednesday, November 27th at the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Preston, MN.
A special thank you to the Mayo Hospice team who provided exceptional care and support, allowing family to honor Howard's wishes to stay in his home.
Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove, MN is assisting with arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Howard VanMinsel
Sponsored by Roble Funeral Service.
1 Entry
Marlene Kaufmann Stolpa
November 16, 2024
We both grew up in Buffalo City Wis. Even though we didn't really know each other, the city was small
and everyone knew each other by name. I moved from B.C in 1957 but my family lived there for many years.
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