William Rodney Moschell

How does one sum up the life of a legacy in nothing more than a few paragraphs?

On Friday, July 6, 2018- the world became a little less bright with the passing of William R. Moschell. While our hearts are heavy with his light having gone out- his spirit and his love lives on with us all. And his words ring out loud and clear as having started nearly every good tale with- “Now if a guy were to….” Memorial services will be 11am, Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Howard with inurnment to follow in Graceland Cemetery, Howard. Visitation will be Monday, with family present from 5pm to 7pm at Willoughby Funeral Home, Howard. William Rodney Moschell was born of William and Alma (Stangohr) Moschell in the chill of the Dakota spring on March 15, 1938. William, known mostly as Bill- was seven out of eight children born to William and Alma. Bill graduated with honors from Fedora High School in 1956. Bill excelled in mathematics and science and was quite the social butterfly. He had many associates and people he genuinely called- friend. Bill had a curious mind and a knack for mechanics. An engineering brain for certain. Story has it; in the years between 1956 and 1958, Bill founded and served as the first president of the Howard Headers Car Club. It delighted Bill to no end to discover after a long hiatus, the Howard Headers Car Club was reinstated in 2015. Bill married Karen Ann Schwader on November 21, 1958. Together, Bill and Karen developed one of Bill’s most proud creations- his family. The family began with the eldest son Rodney, and then a second son David followed by a third- Denis. Bill and Karen completed their family with the birth of their only daughter and baby girl- Brenda Kay. Bill was a self- proclaimed “Jack of all Trades and a Master of None!”.  A farmer by trade straight out of school and all through retirement, at one point in time, Bill farmed more acreage in the tri -county area than any other farmer. An impressive feat for certain. He also worked as a seed salesman by which his natural charm and charisma delivered him many awards and adventures. Another of Bills accomplishments was acquiring his South Dakota Motor Vehicle Dealers license of which he used to establish and operate Moschell Motors LTD. We all know- Bill never passed up a good deal. Aside from his dedication to his family and jacks of trades, Bill was highly involved in his beloved church- Bethany Lutheran. Bill served for many years as a Deacon and Usher. Bill also loved to sing his praises for the Lord each Sunday with the church choir and congregation. For Bill- to sing was to spread love and joy. One of Bills absolute tickles in life was serving as a Sunday school teacher and sharing his love for God with the youth of his community. Is there a word that could ever begin to describe the passion Bill had for nature, the world and all the adventures therein? He loved to hunt and fish- having explored the lower 48 and Canada for said adventures. During an expedition in the Alaskan wild, fishing for Halibut and Salmon, irony would have it- Bill’s favorite part of his adventure was digging of clams. Bill’s love for the simplicities of life was nothing short of inspiring. Bill held no discrimination toward anything that could supply him with a speed induced high. From cars to motorcycles and snowmobiles to tractors and plains- if it had a motor- it pleased him. Bill was a man of such incredible stature and presence. You knew when that gentle giant was in the room. He stood tall, his stride was long, his laugh was boisterous, and it could rattle the most solid of rooms. What was often not seen was, inside that giant was a tender hearted childlike spirit. Bill knew no stranger and held no hate. Despite all opportunities to do so. His heart was as large as he and it beat with absolute conviction and purity. He was the truest example of friendship, love and ultimate forgiveness. Those grateful for having shared his life are two sons- Rodney and Jayne; Denis and Mary Sue of Howard, South Dakota; one daughter Brenda Moschell Myers and Richard of Leonardtown, Maryland, four grandchildren Renee Zens (finance Scott Foster), Stephen (Kimberly) Moschell, Jeremy Moschell and Hunter Moschell. Six great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Anna Marie and Austin Umstead, Karter, Kade and Korbin Moschell. Two sisters Elda (Moschell) Briggs of Kokomo, ID; Myrna and Howard Moore of Mitchell, SD; one brother- Richard and Bonnie Moschell of Kenosha, WI., his nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Karen (2010), infant son David, his parents William F. and Alma Moschell, two brothers Alan and Harold; two sisters Ardath and Dolores. Others who were blessed to have been part of Bill’s life include Bertina I. Bentley- his partner of 25 years and her children Devin and Charlotte Willden, Raven and Raymond Kaufman and Jasey Cross as well as their children who loved Bill as their grandfather include Logan, Sarah, Keely, Gavin, Ethan, Owen and Miss. Kierra Eve. Bertina’s brother and sister- Victor Shane Sr. and Debra Bentley also are grateful to have shared their years with Bill as are their children Sydney and Victor Shane Jr.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.willoughbyfh.com

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