Howard Kirk Wilson, age 94, Newell, passed away peacefully in his sleep in his own home July 30, 2008.

Howard was born March 1, 1914, north of Vale on the homestead of his parents, Henry J. and Alice (Kirk) Wilson. He received his education at Vale and graduated from high school in 1933. He farmed with his father until 1939, when he went to Los Angeles, CA, and attended the California Aircraft School. After graduation, he went to work for the Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica, CA, where he became a Leadman in the spot welding department.

He met his lifelong sweetheart, Constance, at the Hollywood Paladium at the corner of Sunset and Vine in the heart of the film capital. On July 4, 1942, Howard married Constance Irene Weaver in Lynwood, CA. They lived in West Los Angeles for a time. The farm called his heart home and they returned to South Dakota and the Wilson farm. For the next fifteen years, Howard worked with his father and also for the Belle Fourche Irrigation Project and the Dutton Lumber CO.

In 1958, he built a new home in Newell and took the position of Head Custodian of the Newell School District for the next thirty years, retiring in 1988. Howard was a member of St Marys Catholic Church and served on the Church Council. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Lions Club. He took care of the Wilson Cemetery and planted trees around the area. He loved to travel and took several trips to Europe, visiting the area in Norway and Sweden that his Grandparents had migrated from besides traveling extensively in the United States. Constance passed away in 2003. Although it broke his heart, he never lost his zest for life. His best friend, Leo, took him to all the Newell High School basketball games. The girls basketball team held a special place in his heart and he often remarked that is what kept him going. Everyone that knew him will miss him.

He is survived by his seven children, Kirk (Joyce) Wilson, Martin, SD; Kathleen (Bob) Nikodym, Littleton, CO; Mary Wilson, Sugar Grove, IL; Corinne (Syd) Iwan, Midland, SD, Timothy (Pam) Wilson, Salina, KS; Briana (Ron) Funk, Newell, SD; and Thomas (Kathryn) Wilson, Houston. TX. Brother, Ray Kenneth Wilson, Independence, MO; and sister, Eleanor Walton, Phoenix, AZ. 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren also survive him.

His spouse, Constance, Granddaughter, Jennifer Wilson, and Grandson, Jeremiah Wilson, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newell with a wake and Rosary service beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 4, 2008, at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newell with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Burial follows at the Wilson Cemetery.

Memorials have been established to the Newell Girl's Basketball Scholarship and St. Mary's Church.