Howard Flateland, 75, died on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at his home in Trail, MN, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, January 4, 2010 at Sand Valley Lutheran Church in Trail, MN with Pastor Joseph Abrahamson officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olive Cemetery, Trail.

Visitation will be 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service in Oklee, MN with a 4:00 P.M. Prayer service on Sunday evening. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Howard Flateland was born on May 1, 1934 in Trail, MN, the son of Knute and Etta (Anderson) Flateland. He was baptized on July 6, 1934 at the Gully Parsonage by V.O. Aaker. His sponsors were Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Anderson, Art Anderson and Lilly Anderson. He was confirmed on May 31st 1959 at Sand Valley Lutheran Church, Trail, MN by Rev. Ralph Chelsen. He attended school in Trail, MN until the age of 15.

He then went to work in McIntosh, MN for Polk County, with his uncle Earl Anderson from1949-1950. From 1951-1955 Howard worked for Trail Creamery. On October 3, 1955 he was in a car accident in Flint, Michigan in route to work at Chrysler. His injuries from this accident kept him from employment until 1956. From 1956-1958 he worked for Moorhead Construction. In 1959 he started working for Northern Sand and Gravel which later became Strata Corporation until his retirement on May 1, 1996.

Howard was united in marriage to Sylvia Voeltz on October 9, 1954.
To this union there were eight children. The couple made their home at the farm until 1967 and then purchased a home in Trail while continuing to farm. Howard was very proud of his farm and enjoyed spending time with his cattle, horses and haying. He had a true passion for driving horses.

Howard served on the Gonvick-Trail School Board for 23 years. He served as a member and Chairman of that board. He was Mayor of Trail for many terms which he currently still held. Howard was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and held various officer positions. He previously attended Sand Valley Lutheran Church which he also held various officer positions.

Howard is survived by his wife, Sylvia; eight children, Rocky (Jean) of Gulfport, MS, Joyce (Larry) Sather of Gonvick, MN, Judy (Jerry) Seyller of Trail, MN, Gordon of Trail, MN, Marvel (Ginger) of Trail, MN, Janet (Neil) Mueller of Long Prairie, MN, Wesley (Lynn) of Gully, MN and Roxann (Roger) Coan of Goodridge, MN; 26 grandchildren Kelvin, Chad (Starla), Robin, Rachel, Lee, Knute (Angela), Amanda (Mike), Sam (Gina), Phillip, Albert, Katie, Kelsey (Tom), Kyle, Marrio (Amanda), Katrina (Ray), Ashley, Cole, Tasha, Tyler, Tanner, Amanda, Dustin, Christopher, Daniel, Vivian & Jordan; 21 great grandchildren and 2 future great grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Bradlee (Margaret) Flateland of Foley, MN, Allen Flateland of Fosston, MN, Kathleen (Ernie) Larson of Trail, MN, Annette (Gerald) Nelson of Trail, MN, Olin Flateland of Fosston, MN; sister-in-Law, Stella Flateland of Badger, MN; brother-in-law, Vernon (Joanne) Voeltz of Trail, MN, sister-in-law Shirley Voeltz of Twin Valley; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arley (Ordean), infant brother, Keith; sister-in-law, Deloris (Steve) Lopez; brother-in-law, Marvel Shephard; great-grandchildren, Zachery, Hayley & Caleb Flateland; nephews, Ronnie Voeltz and Steve Lopez; mother-in-law, Grace Ratkovec; and father-in-law, Otto Voeltz.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ORGANIST: Kathy Bakke
SOLOIST: Sylvia Flateland, Softly and Tenderly
CASKETBEARERS: Sam Seyller, Kyle Flateland, Lee Seyller, Tyler Flateland, Tanner Flateland, Phillip Seyller, Cole Bakke, Chad Sather, Albert Seyller, Knute Seyller, Marrio Flateland and Jordan Coan
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Howards children, grandchildren and great grandchildren