Howard Fritz Schweitzer, 81, St. Onge, passed away Friday, May 10, 2013 at Fort Meade VA Medical Center, after a long, courageous battle with cancer, and other health problems. According to his wishes he was cremated.

A visitation prayer service will be held at 6:30pm, on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at the St. Onge United Church of Christ.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30am, on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at the St. Onge United Church of Christ, with Pastor Del Neumeister officiating. A lunch will follow at the St. Onge Community Hall. Burial will then take place at Black Hills National Cemetery with Rapid City Post 1273 providing honors.

Howard was born in Gackle, ND on January 31, 1932 to Fred and Alice Schweitzer. He was raised on a farm south of Gackle. Howard went to country school for 8 years. After that he worked on a large cattle ranch south of Gackle. In January of 1951, he enlisted in the Air Force and served in Korea, during the Korean War. Howard received the Korean Service medal and the UNSV Medal. He was discharged from service on October 23, 1953, at Smoky Hill Air Force base in Kansas.

He worked for Lindberg Construction in Jamestown, North Dakota for two years and attended a trade school. On September 15, 1954, Howard Schweitzer and Eleanor Braun were married in Cleveland, North Dakota. In August 1955, they moved to Lead, where Howard went to work for Homestake Mining Company, in the gold mine. He worked as a miner and shift boss for 34 and a half years, retiring in 1989.

Howard and Eleanor enjoyed camping and fishing as well as traveling, taking many bus tours to Canada, Nashville, Glacier Park, and many different places.

He was a life member of the VFW in Deadwood, a life member of the Elks Club in Deadwood, and a member of the Moose Lodge in Belle Fourche.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Eleanor; and two sons, Douglas and Dean Schweitzer, all of St. Onge; sister, Shirley Perrett, Marshall, WI; brother Leo (Faye) Schweitzer, Bismarck, ND; his buddy Jaggar; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Alice Schweitzer; brothers, Floyd, Curtis, and Ray; sisters, Betty Arlene, Mary, and Joan.

Memorials have been established to the St. Onge United Church of Christ or a memorial of the donor's choice.

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