Howard passed away in the early morning hours on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at his home in Granada, after a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, and one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.

Howard Ray Darmer was born Aug. 4, 1946, in Fairmont, Minn., the son of Ray and Viola (Senne) Darmer. He was baptized as an infant by Rev. A.M. Beck on Sept. 1, 1946, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Frasier Township. He was confirmed by Rev. Otto Krause on April 10, 1960, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Minn. He graduated from Fairmont High School in 1964.

Following his graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy on July 27, 1964. While in the Navy he worked as a jet engine mechanic. He was stationed in Germany and Denmark before receiving an honorable discharge on Aug. 3, 1967.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Howard was employed with Universal Poly Films, which changed names many times over the years until September of 1990 when he and Becky relocated to Tomah, Wis., where he was employed with Union Camp Corporation until August of 2005, where their adventures took them to Pittsburg, Kansas, where he was employed with Kendall Packaging until his retirement in 2011.

After his retirement, Howard and Becky returned back to their farm in Granada, Minn., in 2013.

On Jan. 13, 1968, Howard was united in marriage to Rebecca (Becky) Anders at St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop, Minn. Together, they made their home on their farm in Granada, where they were blessed with three daughters, Jody, Christa and Danielle. Howard was a member of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, where he was currently serving as an elder.

Howard loved the country and found great joy in the outdoors. He enjoyed helping his son-in-law, Calvin during spring planting and fall harvest. He also enjoyed helping Camren and Carissa get their animals ready to show at the fair. He and Becky enjoyed traveling to Houston to visit Maddy and Sophia and in November, Howard was well enough to travel to Houston to watch for the first time his granddaughter, Sophia, play football.

Howard was very gifted in woodworking and could be found in his shop on most days. For those who were able to receive one of his great works it will be cherished for years to come. In his younger years, he enjoyed trapshooting, white water canoe trips, and flying airplanes after he received his pilot’s license.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Becky Darmer of Granada, Minn.; daughters, Jody Saxton and her husband, Calvin, of Granada, Minn., Christa Semmler and her husband, Mike, of Richmond, Texas, and Danielle Darmer and her fiancé, James Fitzgerald, of Corpus Christi, Texas; grandchildren, Camren and Carissa Saxton and Maddy and Sophia Semmler; sisters, Joyce Sego of Des Moines, Iowa, Virginia (Danny) Schaefer of Pierz, Minn.; brothers, Jim Darmer of Andover, Minn.,  Steve Darmer of St Paul, Minn., and Brian (Linda) Darmer of Crystal, Minn.; in-laws, Brad (Karen) Anders of Kuna, Idaho, Brenda (Roger) Kotewa of Fairmont, Minn., and Burr (Sue) Anders of Stevensville, Mont.; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Viola (Senne) Darmer; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Delbert and Margie Anders; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members.

Memorials are preferred to be given in Howard’s name to the Shepherd of the Lakes MLC Scholarship Fund or United Hospital District Hospice Program.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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