Verlyn G. Howe

September 19, 1928 — October 19, 2013

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Verlyn G. Howe, 85, of Garretson died Saturday, October 19, 2013.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church in Garretson with interment following at South Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 22 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Garretson from 4-7:00 pm with family present from 5-7:00.

Verlyn Gail Howe was born September 19, 1928 on a farm near Montrose, South Dakota to Louis and Clara (Hetland) Howe. He was baptized at St. Peter Lutheran Church rural Madison and confirmed at First Lutheran in Colton. He attended school in Montrose through the 8th grade until his family moved to a farm near Colton. In 1947 he graduated from Lyons High School. Verlyn attended South Dakota State College in Brookings from 1947-1951 and was in the ROTC and a member of the track team. Verlyn joined the Air National Guard in 1948. He entered pilot training at Goodfellow Base in San Angelo, TX in March 1951 and completed his training at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, AL in 1952. He returned to Brookings and graduated in 1953. He flew many types of planes in his career including the T-6, F-51, T-33, F-94, F-89, and F-102. Verlyn retired with the rank of Major from the Air National Guard in 1970. In 1998 he purchased the F-89 that was once in Dennis the Menace Park. His grandchildren have enjoyed many hours playing on Grandpa’s jet.

On June 5, 1953 Verlyn was united in marriage to Eunice Grant at East Side Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. They lived on a farm near Colton until 1956 when they moved to a farm near Sherman where they raised their family. In 1989 they moved to an acreage near Garretson where they continued to reside.

Verlyn was a member of First Lutheran Church and the American Legion in Garretson. He served on many church and community boards. Verlyn loved to travel and spend time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed the many activities of his grandchildren. He had a passion for flying, farming, and collecting John Deere tractors.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years Eunice, his four sons, Mark (Margaret), Chapel Hill, NC; Brian (Heather), Steven (Beverly), and John, all of Sherman; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Howe, Ryan (Jennifer) Howe, Nathan (Betsy) Howe, Jill (Mike) Schwebach, Brad, James, Scott, and Thomas Howe; three great grandchildren; one sister LaVerne Sandgren, Janesville, WI.; and one sister-in-law Vicky Howe, Sioux Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, brother Duane Howe, and brother in-law Ralph Sandgren.

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