Harold “Howie” Blumenshein, 91, of Sherburn, Minnesota, died at his home on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

Harold Lyle “Howie” Blumenshein was born in Mankato, Minnesota, the son of Rollie and Maggie (Skilling) Blumenshein.

Howie grew up in Mankato where he graduated from Mankato High School in 1943. He then studied at the vo-tech before joining the U.S. Navy, serving four years as a machinist, he was stationed in Hawaii and in China during his tour. Returning to Mankato for a short time before moving to Austin, Minnesota, where he raised a family and worked for the telephone company for 39 years, retiring in 1987. Howie loved to sing, he was a member of the Northwestern Singers. He loved to serenade his wife and loved to call family and sing Happy Birthday to them on their special day. He had a beautiful voice. He enjoyed spending time at the family lake cabin up North as well as bowling. In addition to the Northwestern Singer he was also a member of Kato Connection in Mankato. Everyone who met Howie would agree he was a kind and gentle soul. In 2013, Howie married his sweetheart from junior high after they reconnected in recent years.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen Blumenshein of Sherburn, children: Lyle (Denice) Blumenshein of St. Paul, Pam Pope of Medford, Oregon, Jill Blumenshein of Burnsville, Minnesota, Alan (Sara) Blumenshein of Austin; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; step-children: James (Patricia) Zender of Mishawaka, Indiana, Steven Zender of Elysian, Anthony (Carol) Zender of Sherburn, Pat Zender of Lewisville, Minnesota, Joel Zender of New Ulm, Minnesota, Tom Zender of St. James, Minnesota, Colleen (Brad) Newman of St. James, Mary (Rod) Luker of Gilbert, Arizona and numerous step-grandchildren/great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by two wives Otillia and Margerie, his parents, brother Donald and sister Carol Ann, step-children Tim and Jeff Zender.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota, with Father James Steffes as celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Austin.

Visitation will be Tuesday at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m., a Christian Mother Rosary will be recited at the funeral home on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church in Austin on Wednesday beginning at noon.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.sturmfh.com Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.