Howard Richard Huffstodt

August 10, 1929 – June 19, 2025

In Loving Memory:

Howard Richard Huffstodt, beloved husband, father, grandpa, great-grandpa, godfather, brother, uncle, friend and coach passed away on June 19, 2025. He was a man of faith, and as such, was eager to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Howard was born on August 10, 1929 in Seattle Washington to Richard and Etta Huffstodt. He grew up in West Seattle and Renton, and graduated from Renton High School in 1947. In 1951 he was drafted into the army and honorably served his country during the Korean War. His unit was tasked with establishing the Landstuhl Army Medical Center, in Landstuhl, Germany which became the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the largest American military hospital outside the United States. This was a point of great pride for Howard.

In 1953 he married Elaine Thies and together they raised five children. He cherished his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of his greatest joys in life was hearing the ding that signaled a text from one of his grandchildren, all of whom stayed in close touch. He loved cribbage and playing poker every Tuesday night for thirty plus years with the same guys, all of whom he treasured.

Howard was a railroad man through and through. He started out as a telegraph operator and thought in Morse code, just as others would think in a second language. He held many positions with the Great Northern railroad and subsequently the Burlington Northern Railroad until his retirement in 1984. Howard was civically minded, serving in the Knights of Columbus, coaching both girls and boys basketball teams at Immaculate Conception School, and volunteering in countless ways. He believed in giving back and supported many charities including the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.

He worked hard outside nearly every day of his life. He was the quintessential handy man. There wasn't any project he wouldn't take on. His motto was "Why would I pay someone to do something that I can learn how to do myself." Even as his health declined, he continued to soldier on, working outside nearly every day. He declared, "I'd rather die in my work boots than my slippers." He was loved by many and will never be forgotten.

He is survived by his daughters, Marilyn Hambelton (Dave), Nancy Kingshott (Tom) Dianne Langdon, Norma Oliason (Stu) and son Ron Huffstodt, ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, sisters Linda Shaw and Charlotte Nelsen and many dear nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Elaine.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday June 28, 2025 at 10:30 am, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 400 North 15th Street in Mount Vernon, WA., followed by Committal Prayers at Hawthorne Memorial Park and lunch to follow in the Hawthorne Reception Room.