Howard James Seitzer

Howard James Seitzer, age 104, of Oakdale, MN, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2025. He was born August 9, 1920 in Nicollet County, MN to Edward and Hazel (née Swagler) Seitzer.
Howard grew up on a family farm not far from St Peter, MN. After graduating from St. Peter High School in 1938, Howard drove to California with 3 other guys along the infamous road "Route 66" to go to aircraft building school. He lived in Hollywood, California and ended up with a job at Lockheed Martin, building bombers for England and P-38 Fighter Planes for the war. While still working at Lockheed Martin, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was eventually shipped to England. During World War II, he flew with the 379th Bomb group in the Eighth Air Force out of England as a waist gunner on a B-17. Howard flew and completed 35 missions over Germany during World War II. All of the missions were incredible dangerous. He was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Howard was proud to be an American and believed it was the greatest country in the world. Howard married Virginia Bisch on May 29, 1948 in Le Sueur, MN. They raised 2 sons and 4 daughters in St. Paul, MN. Howard had numerous jobs including Street Car Driver and working for Northern States Power Co. Eventually he became a Fire Fighter for the St. Paul Fire Department and retired in 1978, after 29 years. Howard was a member of Knights of Columbus and the VFW. Not only did Howard serve in the military, but he was a devoted Catholic and also helped serve his community through Church.
Howard loved traveling. Howard and Virginia traveled all over of the world and were so grateful they were able to do it when they were younger. He loved playing cards, golfing, sharing his military and childhood memories and spending time with his family. He was an avid reader and never stopped learning. As the age of computers evolved, he kept up with it and used the internet. Howard was an excellent cook and was well known for his soups and baked beans. He had a love for a lot of foods but his all time favorite was oysters on the half shell and ice cream. He proved his love for oysters by eating 3 dozen on his 104th birthday.
Howard was preceded in death by his wife Virginia, parents, Edward and Hazel Seitzer; daughter, Diane; great granddaughter, Chloe Gamst; grandsons, Craig Seitzer and Joseph Conrad; and his siblings Lloyd, Ione, Jean Osborne, and Mary Price.
Howard is survived by his children: Marilyn (Ron) Freberg, Woodbury, MN; Catherine Baron, Inver Grove Heights, MN; Jim (Robyn) Seitzer, Elk River, MN, Joe Seitzer, Phoenix, AZ; and Victoria Conrad, Lake Elmo, MN; 18 grandchildren: Lynn Jaspersen, Breanna Freberg, Justin Gamst, Seth Gamst, Nick Gamst, Stephanie Lyons, Alex Lyons, Nicki Lyons, Trina Reimer, Trista Seitzer, Erica Lee, Jessica Bradish, Joe Rolak, Jake Seitzer, Amanda Thomas, and Ryan Conrad; 27 great-grandchildren: Adrianna Freberg, Samuel Castillo, Erin & Evan Gamst, Everett Gamst; Lily Gamst; Christopher, Rosa, Joseph, Amelia, and Alex Lyons; Noah, Amelia, Leah, and Milo Reimer; Evie and Graham Rusher; Willow and Wyatt Rolak; Lyla and Malia Thomas; Aaron and Zach Lee; Michael and Taylor Bradish; 3 great great grandchildren; Kingzly, Knightly and Elayna Lyons and many special nieces and nephews.
On Friday, June 27, 2025, visitation will be at 10am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11am at Maternity of Mary Catholic Church at 1414 Dale St. N, St Paul MN, 55117.
A Full Military Honor Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis on July 8 at 11am, please arrive to Assembly Area #6 at 10:45am. The Pallbearers are Alex Lyons (Grandson) Jake Seitzer (Grandson), Noah Reimer (Great Grandson), Sam Trinity (great Grandson), Seth Gamst (Grandson), Tom Seitzer (Nephew)
The Funeral Home, O'Halloran Murphy Woodbury, was entrusted with the arrangements
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