Howard Duane Huesers

Howard Duane Huesers, 89, of Topeka, died March 10, 2014 at the Colmery O'Neil V.A. Medical Center. He was born December 11, 1924 in Minot, North Dakota, the son of John Henry and Marie (Anderson) Huesers. Howard served in the Army Air Corps as a tail-gunner of a B-24 Liberator bomber crew and was based in England and Italy. He was the recipient of the Air Medal with four oak clusters and flew 47 missions. His bomber unit was awarded the Presidential Unit citation. He married Ruth Blikre on September 14, 1953 in St. Paul Minnesota. He attended Minot State University. Later, he and Ruth established an endowment fund for rural academics and teaching at the university. They moved to Kansas and Howard worked on the construction of the Kansas Turnpike. He enjoyed the outdoors, traveling and meeting people, and always had a story to tell. He especially enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren. Howard was a lifelong member and supporter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Minot, North Dakota, and was a 50 year member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Howard worked as a Residential Draftsman for a local architecture firm, then worked as a fiber optic field engineer for Associated Engineers in Olathe, Kansas until his retirement. He is survived by his children, Duane Huesers of San Antonio, Texas, Linda Evans of Arlington, Texas, Karen Hoyng of Abilene, Texas, Brian Huesers of Leawood, Kansas, and Nels Huesers of Topeka, a sister Dorothy Huesers of St. Paul, Minnesota, 15 grandchildren; Alan, Marie, Jennifer, John, Mark, Ben, Kristen, Thomas, Christian, Jordan, Lauren, Ryan, David, Isaiah, and Nolan, three great-grandchildren; Allison, Randall, and Andrew. Howard was preceded in death by his wife on November 7, 2004 Howard will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 2021 S.W. 29th Street. Burial will follow at Topeka Cemetery with military honors provided by Philip Billard Post #1650 of the V.F.W. A luncheon will be provided at 12:30 p.m. at the church following the graveside service. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital or to Our Saviors Lutheran Church and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.