Howard C. Gatchell Sr. was born June 6, 1920, to parents Ira and Clara (Nolton) Gatchell. He was born into a farming family and was one of eight children. He attended school in Granite Falls, Minnesota. Howard served in the United States Army during WWII. He was on active duty from 1942-1945. According to Howard, this was "three years, six months and 21 days." He was stationed in the South Pacific. Following the war, Howard came home to Minnesota to farm. Howard was united in marriage to Florence Dotseth on June 22, 1952, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They farmed west of Granite Falls for many years. He loved to dance. He loved old time music of all kinds and could waltz, polka, and do the Shoddish. He also enjoyed playing cards, especially whist. Howard liked to hunt. He also loved to garden and was known for large vegetable gardens. Howard was very active in the community and belonged to several civic organizations. He was a life member of the American Legion a member of the V.F.W. and 40&8. He served on the Color Guard of the V.F.W. until a few months ago. He served on the Minnesota Falls Elevator Board for 21 years and the Prairie V Board for 35 years. He served three terms as Yellow Medicine County Commissioner. He was on the church council for the United Church of Christ in Granite Falls and the Hanley Falls Machinery Museum for many years. He passed away at the Clarkfield Care Center on Sunday, March 23, 2008, at the age of 87 years, 9 months and 17 days. He is survived by his son Howard "Babe" (and Sherri) Gatchell Jr. of Granite Falls from his first marriage; and three step children from his marriage to Florence: Carol Cully of Woodbury, Minnesota, Roger (and Mary) Johnson of Prior Lake, Minnesota, and Delroy (and Karen) Johnson of Alexandria, Minnesota. He is also survived by three grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; great grandchildren; sisters Grace (Ornie) Alness and Ruby (Frank) Clendenin; and many nieces and nephews He was preceded in death by his parents, step son Charles Johnson, and wife Florence in 2005. Visitation Wednesday, March 26, 2008 * 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. United Church of Christ, Granite Falls, Minnesota Funeral Service Thursday, March 27, 2008 * 11:00 a.m. United Church of Christ Granite Falls, Minnesota Officiating, Allen Gislason, (Lay Ministry) Organist, Joan Lundell Special Music "The Lord's Prayer" (CD sung by Kathy Widman) Casketbearers Dorian Gatchell, Jody Gatchell Jim Clendenin, Wayne Kling Larry Wessels, Terry Paulson Final Interment Granite Falls City Cemetery Granite Falls, Minnesota Military Rites Granite Falls V.F.W. Post 3871 Granite Falls American Legion Post 69 Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota