Howard Stotesbery

Howard L. Stotesbery, age 95, of Graceville, MN, died on November 10, 2019, at Grace Village in Graceville.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 18, 2019, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville. Fr. Brian Oestreich will celebrate the Mass, and burial will be in Graceville Consolidated Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2019, the Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Chapel in Graceville from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to Mass at the church in Graceville on Monday.

Howard Leland Stotesbery was born on January 8, 1924, to Leslie and Della (Gustafson) Stotesbery on their family farm in Big Stone County. He attended country school through eighth grade. After school, Howard went to work on the family farm.

On November 25, 1944, Howard was united in marriage with Gertrude Seifert at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville. They made their home on a farm south of Graceville and were blessed with seven children. Howard was a farmer all his life - growing crops and raising livestock for many years. He retired from farming in 1996. Howard continued to help his son farm for several years. He loved to play cards, shoot pool, dance, and visit with people, keep track of the boys and their farming, and was a farmer until the end.

In 1977, Howard and Gert moved to town and resided there until Gert’s death on June 16, 1978. On September 22, 1979, Howard was united in marriage with Kathleen O’Connor-Billiet. They lived in Graceville and moved to Grace Village in 2013. Kathy passed away on March 24, 2016.

Howard is survived by his seven children: Steve (Debby) Stotesbery of Graceville, MN; Dave (Bonnie) Stotesbery of Clinton, MN; Phil (Cyndy) Stotesbery of Pelican Rapids, MN; Bernie (Karla) Stotesbery of Alexandria, MN; Tom (Debbie) Stotesbery of Redwood Falls, MN; Jim (Pam) Stotesbery of Clinton, MN; and JoAnne (John) Nerenz of Wheaton, MN; step-children: Barb Billiet of Graceville, MN; and Larry (Karen) Billiet of Graceville, MN; 21 grandchildren: Michelle (Mark) Buerkle, Stacy Stotesbery, Ryan (Danielle) Stotesbery, Randy Stotesbery, Mark (Brianne) Stotesbery, Anna (Ben) Bernard, Michael (Maria) Stotesbery, Brittany (Mark) Dokken, Amy Larson, Jessica (Justin) Schoenack, Jennifer (Mitch) Wagener, Lori Stotesbery, Julie (Myles) Slavin, Andrew (Ashley) Stotesbery, Sarah (Cam) Corey, Becky (Trent) White, James (Tara) Stotesbery, Marty (Jennette) Stotesbery, Gloria Stotesbery (special friend, Jeremiah), Nathan Nerenz (special friend, Elizabeth), Brent (Amara) Nerenz; step-grandchildren: Michael (Cassie) Billiet and Alisha (Steve) Podobinski; 41 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; siblings: Neva Ramsey; Darrell (Marcia) Stotesbery, Jerry (Jeanine) Stotesbery, and Gene (Marcy) Stotesbery; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his wives: Gert and Kathy; his parents; sister, Marjorie Wold; and brothers: Moreland, Ronald, Marvin, and Roger Stotesbery.