Howard Moore

Dates

Obituary

Howard Moore, 92, of Mitchell, formerly of Artesian, SD, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Thursday, November 21, at Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 PM prayer service.

Howard Austin Moore was born on April 3, 1932, in Wessington Springs, SD, to Walter and Esther (Wetzel) Moore. His family later moved to the Mitchell area, where Howard attended Betts and Riverside schools. He completed two years of high school in Letcher and graduated from Artesian High School in 1950.

Howard entered the U.S. Army on August 12, 1952, and served in the Korean War with the 147th Field Artillery. He was severely burned in December 1954, suffering burns over 80% of his body. After extensive treatment and recovery in Japan and Texas, he was honorably discharged.

Returning to civilian life, Howard resumed farming and raised Registered Angus cattle. He also managed the Green Door in Fedora, SD, alongside Bob Trusty for two years.

On December 21, 1957, Howard married his sweetheart, Myrna Moschell, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Howard, SD. Together, they raised four children in Artesian, SD.

In 1960, Howard was appointed as a rural mail carrier in Artesian, a position he held for 28 years. He balanced his postal duties with part-time farming and cattle raising until 1994, when he turned the farm over to his son, Jerry.

Howard was deeply involved in his community and faith. In his younger years he enjoyed playing and coaching baseball leagues. He was an active member of the First Lutheran Church, serving in various leadership roles, and a lifetime member of the Artesian American Legion. He also belonged to the Elks and Moose Lodge. One of his biggest honors was participating in the Midwest Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2019 as part of Mission 5.

Howard cherished his family and took great joy in supporting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at their school and community events, always being their number one fan. An avid outdoorsman, Howard enjoyed hunting, fishing trips to the Missouri River, Canada, and Alaska, and playing pitch and pinochle. Holiday traditions, especially oyster stew on Christmas Eve, held a special place in his heart. In his later years, Howard cherished the friendships he made at the Avera Brady home, where he enjoyed watching football, playing cards, and having pizza nights.

Howard is survived by his children, Chloe Andenas of Howard, Jerry (Pam) Moore, of Artesian, Roger (Judy) Moore of Minong, WI, and Cheryl (Roger) Schmit of Artesian; six grandchildren: Kirsten (Reggie) Aligada, Rachelle (Brennan) Schmidt, Dillon (Harley) Moore, Josh Moore, and Ashley (Wes) Vander Pol, and Austin Schmit; seven great-grandchildren: Ruby, Zadie, Cierra, Jade, Ryder, Hank, and Brooks, and; sister-in-law, Mary Bechen of Mitchell; and brother-in-law, Richard (Bonnie) Moschell of Kenosha, WI.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Myrna; sister, Marg; brothers, Melvin and Earl; son-in-law, Mads Andenas; and many other loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Midwest Honor Flight, Sanborn County 4-H, or Sanborn Central Scholarship Foundation.

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