Funeral services for Howard Carl Friedrich of Sioux Falls, South Dakota will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April, 14, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland, MN. Pastor Paul Andre will officiate. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, at the Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland, MN, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St Olaf Cemetery, New Richland.
Howard died Saturday, April 7, 2018 at his winter home in Mesa, AZ; he was 91 years of age.
Howard was born August 24, 1926 in Jasper, MN, the son of Carl E. and Hilda (Eikmeier) Friedrich. He attended Jasper Schools and graduated from Jasper High School June 3, 1944. He enlisted in the US Navy June 6, 1944. He attended boot camp in Farragut, ID. While in Farragut, Howard attended the Hospital Corps School before serving in a number of capacities. He became a crew member aboard the USS Enterprise (CV6 Carrier) in May of 1945.
In October of 1945, the Enterprise was part of a fleet of ships that docked in New York for the Celebration of Navy Day. During his time in New York, Howard met his bride to be, Marie Louise Henrich of Williston Park, Long Island, New York. He and Marie were married August 17, 1946 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Williston Park by the Reverend Alvin J. Neevil.
Howard attended General Beadle State College in Madison, S.D. for one year before they returned to Williston Park in 1947. While living in Williston Park, he worked for Fairchild Sons Funeral Home in Brooklyn, NY. They moved to Minnesota in 1948.
Howard attended the University Of Minnesota School Of Mortuary Science and graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in June of 1949. He and Marie then moved to Henderson, where they lived until 1956. While living in Henderson, Howard was employed by Roschen Funeral Service; they served the communities of LeSueur and Henderson.
Howard went from employee to employer in 1956 when he and Marie purchased Tyrholm Furniture and Funeral Service in New Richland, MN. They also purchased a funeral home in Hartland in 1967. They owned and operated the businesses until March 1985; they sold the businesses to Bonnerup Funeral Service of Albert Lea and Ellendale, MN. After the sale, they continued residency of their New Richland home (built in 1966) until 1997. For several years, Howard continued to work for Bonnerup Funeral Service.
During retirement, Howard was occasionally employed by Brenny Funeral Chapels of Baxter and Cross Lake, MN.
In the fall of 2003, Marie was admitted into the Alzheimer’s Unit at St. Peter Community Health Care Center in St. Peter. Howard was able to be close to Marie; he lived with his son and daughter-in-law during the winter of 2004. Marie died March 16, 2004.
Howard was an active member of the communities he resided in. He served on the church council of St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church in Henderson; he served as Commander of Sibley Post 74 of the American Legion in Henderson; he was a member of Henderson Lodge 13 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (serving as Master of the Lodge in 1956); he was a charter member of the New Richland Lions Club (serving as its president); he served as the Lions District Eye Bank Chairman District 5M6; served a term on the New Richland Village Council; was a member of the New Richland Commercial Club; he and Marie were members of Trinity Lutheran Church (serving on the church council and as president of the congregation in 1964); served as president of the St Olaf Cemetery Association; he was a life member of the Tuscan Lodge AF&AM No 77 of Waseca (Master of the Lodge in 1977); he was also a life member of the Royal Arch Masons in Waseca; a life member of the Commandery No 4 in Mankato, MN. He was a long time member of the Zuhrah Temple of the shrine in Minneapolis and the Aadzuhman Shrine Club in Brainerd, MN. He also had been a member of the Waseca, MN, Shrine Club and had served as its president. He was a life member of the Royal Arch Masons in Owatonna, MN, past member of the Elks Lodge No 813 in Albert Lea, MN, an active member of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association and served as its president 1982 – 1983. He was also a life member of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, and a 19 year member of the Cross Lake Lutheran Church. He presently was a member of the El Riad Shrine, First Lutheran Church, VFW Post 628 and the Gjoa Sons of Norway Lodge all in Sioux Falls, SD.
Howard is survived by his children Larry (Cynthia) Friedrich of St Peter, MN, and daughter Mary Ann (Thomas) Kramer of Granite Falls, MN. Also surviving are granddaughters Laura Eyre of Austin, MN, Heather (Dylan) Hooper of Nikiski, AK, and Rebecca (Christopher) DeVries of Wahpeton, ND. Grandsons Jeremy (Chris) Kramer of Owatonna, MN, and Colin Kramer of Woodbury, MN, sister Margie Friedrich of Worthington, MN, eight great granddaughters Lindsey, Brittney, Madison, and Gabrielle Kramer of Owatonna, MN, Ellie Eyre of Austin, MN, Emily and Leah DeVries of Wahpeton, ND, Morgan Hooper of Nikiski, AK. four great grandsons; Samuel Eyre of Austin, MN, Brady DeVries of Wahpeton, ND, Aiden Pecks of LeMars, IA, and Jackson Hooper of Nikiski, AK.