Howard D. Wurst

Howard “Howie” Dean Wurst was born in rural Utica on October 13, 1933. He passed away on November 17, 2020, at the Seward Memorial Hospital. He was the fifth child and only son of Emanuel and Amalia Wurst. Raised in rural Seward County, he attended country schools and graduated from Milford High School in 1951. He served briefly in the U.S. Army as a Mortar Squad Technician. He was honorably discharged when Emanuel was injured in a farm accident and Howard was called back to work the farm. Howard married his sweetheart Marvene Marie Harrison in 1955.  They lived and farmed near Milford.  They had three children, Wendy, Van, and Lance.  During this time Howard and Marvene began their lifelong passion for breeding, raising, and showing dogs.  They became active in several kennel clubs, serving multiple positions for the next fifty years.

They moved to Milford in 1969.  Howard worked at car dealerships in Milford and Lincoln. More important to Howard than his job were church, raising Saint Bernards, gardening, and family. He was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Milford.  He and Marvene taught Sunday School and served on many church committees. Howard and Marvene took an active interest in their children and grandchildren’s activities. Howard loved Milford and Seward County.  After retirement, he returned that love by co-founding and volunteering with Milford FoodNet, planting and tending gardens, and sharing baked goods around the community.  He also became actively involved in Kiwanis, American Legion, and Seward County Historical Society. Howard and Marvene moved to Linden Village in 2015, where he lived until his passing. 

Howard was preceded in death by his wife Marvene, his sisters Lela Grimes, Doris Heller, Edith Gloystein, and Carol (Friedli) Stauffer, and son-in-law Arthur Dale.

He will be loved and remembered by his children, Wendy Dale, Van (Pam) Wurst, and Lance (Paula) Wurst; grandchildren Brent (Angel) Dale, Rhett (Mary) Wurst, Kasey Wurst, Sarah (Nathan) Holst, and JoAnna Wurst; great grandchildren Paul Dale, Henry, Mae, and Eliza Wurst, and Sage Holst. He will also be fondly remembered by his large extended family and a lifetime of friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at the Milford United Methodist Church with Pastor Angela DeFisher officiating.  Howard will be interred at Salem Cemetery following the services at church.  The US Army will have a flag folding presentation following the service at the church.  The Milford American Legion will provide additional honors at the cemetery.

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