Troy Allen Howard

Troy A. Howard, age 59, of Holstein, passed away on Saturday, September 03, 2022 at his home of Holstein.  A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 09, 2022 at 10:30 AM at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holstein with the Pastor Bob Lewis officiating.  Burial will be at the Battle Center Cemetery of Holstein with military rites conducted by the American Legion Dessel-Schmidt Post #225 of Holstein.  A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 08, 2022 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein.  The family requests those who attend to dress casually.

Troy “Howie” Howard was born November 4, 1962 to Tom and Judy (Hoguewood) Howard in Sioux City, Iowa.  He graduated from North High School in 1981.  Upon graduation, Howie joined the U.S. Navy and headed to Great Lakes, IL for basic training.  He sailed on the Carl Vinson and USS Coral Sea where he loaded nuclear weapons on fighter jets.  He sailed around the world to 16 different countries and earned the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class before he was discharged in 1987.  Howie was an active member of the American Legion Dessel-Schmidt Post #225 of Holstein.

He was united in marriage to Jill Howard. They, along with Jill’s children Shawna and Ben, were blessed to add Sara Marie into their family.  Troy married Heidi Groszkrueger on September 1, 2012 and he was welcomed into the family by Heidi’s children, Alan, Cole and Lacey.

Howie enjoyed fishing, golfing and watching sports, especially the Iowa State Cyclones, the Chicago Cubs and the Denver Broncos.  Troy loved life and enjoyed visiting with people and helping others.  He loved helping coach youth sports. Troy was a longtime VT Industries employee working as a Heian hardware machine operator and then a sales and service representative.

Troy is survived by his wife, Heidi; daughter, Sara (Ben) Van Houten of Holstein, IA; step-children, Shawna (Brett) Schlenger, Ben Rabbass (Mackenzie Koeppen), Alan Groszkrueger (Bailey Knowlton), Cole Groszkrueger and Lacey Roberts (Jacob Vodraska); grandchildren, Gabe, Kaleb and Cambria Van Houten, Payton and Kara-Jo Rabbass, Braelynn, Paige, Calvin, Bentley and Evelyn Schlenger, Tucker Groszkrueger and Nash and Hudson Knowlton.  He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Lynette Pullen; sister Julie (Darrell) Taylor; aunt, Terry Van Horn; many nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends who he considered family.

Troy was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Judy Howard and father-in-law, Robert Groszkrueger.

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