Howard E. Pitel, 85, of Kendall died Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, at St. Joseph’s Community Health Center in Hillsboro.
Born Oct. 31, 1925, to Conrad and Mildred (Wappler) Pitel in the town of Clifton, he was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church. He grew up in the Clifton area and attended Graf Country School. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Halverson on June 12, 1948, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church.
He worked for the Novy Telephone Company for 22 years. In 1970, he went to work farming full time on the Halverson family farm. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with family and friends.
He had a warm personality and enjoyed collecting many different things. He was a devoted husband and a loving father and brother.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn of Kendall; a brother, Laurel (Lucille) Pitel of Milwaukee; a sister-in-law, Marceda Pitel of Cederburg, Wis.; and nieces, nephews, other cousins and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Trudy, and a brother, Eldon Pitel.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, Kendall. Pastor Paul G. Heiderich will officiate. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery, Kendall. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 4-7 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to services Friday. Online condolences may be sent to sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
