Howard W. Arbeiter, age 84, of Huron, passed away on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at Avantara in Huron. His Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Living Hope Alliance Church with burial to follow at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron. Visitation, with his family present, will be from 4-6 P.M., on Friday, August 18, 2023 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron. A Prayer Service will begin at 6:00 P.M. on Friday evening at the funeral home.

His funeral service will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfjaoTtzqVk

Howard Willie Arbeiter was born to Edward and June (Moeller) Arbeiter on July 21, 1939, in Estelline, South Dakota. He moved with his parents to a farm 8 miles south of Huron in October 1939, where he spent his whole life.

He married Hilda Woelk on November 24, 1972. They were blessed to celebrate 50 years together. They loved telling how they met and married. Howard's family was very important to him. Four children were born to them; Robert, Judy, Connie, and Tim. He was affectionate with them and appreciated having their help on the farm. As they grew up, the girls moved out of state and the boys both chose to farm with Howard. Howard loved farming. He began farming full-time with his Dad after 8th grade. He began mowing and raking hay and cultivating corn much earlier. He preferred the farm to school. In 1992, Howard and Hilda took over the family farm. Over the years, Howard raised cattle and sheep. He had a tender spot for the lambs. Crops he grew were mostly corn and some grain and alfalfa. He put 450 and Farmall M. Howard enjoyed harvest and running the combine, specifically his 1440. Howard did a majority of his own repair work. He enjoyed welding and fabricating. Sometimes he would make modifications to his machinery to make it work more efficiently.

In later years he traveled more, seeing family and taking in tractor shows. He never liked being gone from the farm for too long, though. After he turned the farm over to Robert and Tim, he gradually reduced the acres he farmed, as his health allowed.

He is survived by his wife, Hilda of Huron; his children, Robert (Angela) Arbeiter of Huron, Judy (Travis) Skillman of Kansas, Connie (Joaquim) Braga of Brazil, and Tim Arbeiter of Huron; grandchildren, Sarah (Christian) Olson, Matthew (Katie Mogen) Arbeiter, Samantha and Abby Hughes, Bella and Nicolas Braga, Adeline and Tucker Skillman; great-grandchildren, Aubree and Peyton Olson; his siblings, Esther Macy of Missouri, Goldie (Lloyd) Zabel of Minnesota, Delores (Jerry) Thompson of Arkansas and Marvin Arbeiter of Texas; nieces Pam Schlagel, Becca Zabel and Sandy (Ty) Castle; and nephew Chase (Lindsey) Arbeiter.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, numerous aunts and uncles; sister-in-law, Sherri Arbeiter, and brother-in-law Bill Macy; and great-grandson, Carter Olson.