John F. Weidler

John F. Weidler, age 89, of Howard, died Thursday, May 13, 2021, at Madison Regional Health System after a short illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Howard. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Monday, at the church with a scripture service beginning at 7.

John Francis Weidler was born at the home of his parents Elmer and Lena (Mueller) Weidler on October 12, 1931. He graduated from St. Agatha High School in 1949, where he was active in band and played basketball. Following high school, he farmed with his dad and brother Vincent before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He served during the Korean War from 1951-1955 and spent part of his tour in Guam. He spent his time in the Air Force as an electrician where he worked on bombers. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and earned two medals, the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Medal.

John met the love of his life, Evelyn Herbst of Larchwood, IA, in Sioux Falls at a dance at the Arkota Ballroom. They were united in marriage on June 27, 1959, and together celebrated 61 years of marriage. The couple raised two sons, Donald and Dennis. John spent his entire life living in Howard and was a farmer at heart. He did custom cornshelling with his brother Vincent for many years. Due to health complications, John moved from the farm to the Good Samaritan Society in 2014.

He was a member of St. Agatha Catholic Church and the Howard American Legion. He also served 30 years on the Kingbrook Rural Water System Board where he was the treasurer for 28 years and received several awards for his service. He loved his family and rarely did he miss watching his son Dennis or his grandchildren Laura and David’s basketball games. John loved listening and dancing to music. He especially enjoyed it when the school kids would come and sing or trick or treat at the nursing home. He also loved to play cards with his friends and bingo every week. He served on GSC resident council. John was great at getting to know people he met at the local coffee shop or at a water meeting/convention, and was always the first to be help a friend or neighbor in need.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife Evelyn of 61 years; two sons, Donald (Betty) Weidler of Madison and Dennis (Kathy) Weidler of Howard; three grandchildren, Laura (Randall) Shannon of Madison, David (fiancé Jobi) Weidler of Sioux Falls, and Eric (Jennifer) Dekam of Madison; six great-grandchildren, Bentley Marie Shannon, Nevaeh Jo Shannon, Piper Jean Shannon, Quinn Dekam, Danny Dekam, and Lennix Dekam; and many extended family, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother Thomas and brother Vincent, sister Esther and brother-in-law Walter Dush; and one nephew Michael Dush.

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