Howard Tyrrell

Howard Troy Tyrrell, 94, of Browerville passed away peacefully at home on June 10, 2018. 

Funeral services were held June 13 at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. 

Burialwas at Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Staples.

Arrangements with the Iten Funeral Home, Browerville.

Howard was born February 10, 1924 on the family farm in Ward Township, Todd County, to Jay and Stella (Grey) Tyrrell. In his youth, he was a member of the Batavia Church of Christ and Todd County 4-H. He graduated from Staples High School in 1942. He was elected as State President of the Minnesota Future Farmers of America, 1942-43. He took over the farm, which was homesteaded in 1873, from his dad in 1945. On June 16, 1945, he married his high school sweetheart, Marlys Berg at First English Lutheran Church (Faith Lutheran) in Staples. They farmed together on Oak Crest Farm for nearly 70 years. Howard served on the Board of Directors of Staples State Bank for over 20 years. He also served many years as Ward Township Clerk, on the Todd County Board of Soil and Water Resources, Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Herd Code #1 and American Guernsey Cattle Club. He was selected a charter member of the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.

Howard loved farming the land, milking and raising registered Guernsey cattle and continued to do field work into his 90s. He was one of the first area farmers to introduce irrigation to Todd County and  practiced conservation farming to aide wildlife and agriculture. He loved seeing all the wildlife on the farm and enjoyed deer hunting. The Tyrrells  traveled, spending winters in Texas or other parts of the United States. 

Howard is survived by two daughters, Eloise (Mike) Thorson, Browerville and Lynette (Jim) Vossen, New London; one son, Dennis (Cheryl) Tyrrell, Browerville; eight grandchildren, Karl (Melissa) and Erik (Sara) Thorson; Jakin (Amanda) Tyrrell, Nichole (Nathan) Deyle, Troy (Heather) Tyrrell, Brent (Katie) Tyrrell; Shawn (Bethanna) Vossen and Stephanie (Lee) Tollefsrud; 18 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Lois Zappe; cousins and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two brothers, Everett and Ray; three sisters. Edith, Blanche and Eva  and great grandson Gabriel.

        w24c  A00006B2018JUNE14