Howard M. Richner

Howard “Howie” Richner of Little Falls MN, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away at the age of 72 on Sunday May 4th, 2014 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN surrounded by those who loved him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Father Joe Herzing officiating. Burial will be at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Belle Prairie, MN at a later date. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM on Wednesday and from 9 to 10:30 AM on Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Howard “Howie” Richner of Little Falls MN, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away at the age of 72 on Sunday May 4th, 2014 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN surrounded by those who loved him. Howard was born and raised in Little Falls, MN and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1960. He married Lucille Janey and from that union had three beautiful daughters: Laura, Denise and Anne. He moved to Minneapolis, MN and after working several different jobs started his career as a Minneapolis Police Officer in January 1967. He married his current wife Rita A. VanFossan on February 27, 1981 and they lived in the suburbs of Minneapolis. After his retirement from the Minneapolis Police Force they moved back to his hometown of Little Falls, MN where they resided together for 20 years. He enjoyed motorcycling and was known to have purchased a few motorcycles over the years among other things. He was affectionately referred to as “Trader Ted” due to his love for buying and selling things. He loved hunting with his twin brother Harvey and his nephews. He enjoyed being able to go Elk Hunting with his son-in-law Wayne Seymour and his nephew Jerry Jensen. He also loved camping, especially sitting around the campfire. His favorite place to camp was the North Shores of MN. Over the years he created many cherished family memories camping there. Another favorite pastime was shooting pool and being on the pool league with his son-in-law Randy Heltemes and his daughter Denise Heltemes. Howard is survived by his wife Rita and his daughters: Laura Hilmerson, Denise (Randy) Heltemes and Anne (Wayne) Seymour. His grandchildren: Suzy (Erick) Strempke, Melissa Hilmerson, Krista Hilmerson, Scott (Jessica) Hilmerson, Elizabeth Seymour, Alaina (Andrew) Just, Adam Heltemes and Andrew Heltemes. His great-grandchildren: Brennen Trutwin, Isack Strempke, Ezra Trutwin, Kyler Kislenger, Elli Leikvoll, Benjamin Schwendeman, Adriane Hilmerson, Klaira Schwendeman, Miley Hilmerson, Payton Klooster and Noah Bushman. Along with many nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred Eva (Young) Richner; siblings, Ethel (Ben) Weiss, Evelyn Virnig, Edith (Swen) Olson, Louise (George) Wood, Mary Lou (Chuck) Garretson, Ella (Dick) Moran, Alfred “Sonny” Richner and Harvey (Candace) Richner. Honorary Pallbearer will be Jerry Jensen. Pallbearers will be Randy Heltemes, Adam Heltemes, Andrew Heltemes, Scott Hilmerson, Ricky Jensen, Jim Moran, and Wayne Seymour.

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Howard M. Richner

April 6, 1942 - May 4, 2014