Howard James Seigfreid

Howard James Seigfreid, 87, passed away Friday, September 23, 2022 at University Village in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Howard was born November 29, 1934 in Hudson, Iowa to James and Florence (Rosenberry/Conklin/Mason) Siegfried. Following his father's death in 1936, he moved to a farm near Fremont, Nebraska with his mother and sister Goldie. In high school he was taken in by the Barretts with whom he gained a second family. After graduating from Cedar Bluffs High School in 1953, Howard was drafted into the Army and served in the 723 Tank Battalion at Fort Irwin in the Mojave Desert. His unit conducted maneuvers at the Nevada Test Grounds, and he witnessed the atomic bomb detonation there on April 5, 1955. In 1956, he returned to Fremont. He worked night shifts at the Hormel meat processing plant and attended Midland College during the day, finishing his degree in three years.

In 1957, Howard married the love of his life, Betty Havekost, and they began their family. They had three children; June, Jeff, and Julie, all born in Fremont. Family was very important to Howard and he always made everyone feel very special.

After graduating from college, Howard began working in the oil and gas industry at Texaco. After a short stint in Omaha, Nebraska, he was promoted and moved his young family to Bismarck, North Dakota. Another brief move back to Omaha was followed by his final move to Tulsa. In his career his territory ranged from Fargo, North Dakota to Nashville, Tennessee to Lubbock, Texas, to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He made many long-lasting friendships with those he worked with throughout the years. Howard retired from Texaco in 1994 with 33 years of service.

Howard loved to travel, fish, read, and attend sporting events. He was always discovering new reasons to start planning the next trip. He enjoyed driving all through the US to see the sites, learn the history, and visit family and friends along the route. After retirement he started to explore the rest of the world and found international travels just as fun. He was an inaugural member of the Oklahoma Nebraska Cornhusker Club and attended many of the home and away games whenever possible. In Tulsa, he had season tickets for the Drillers baseball team and was once selected Fan of the Year.

Throughout his life, Howard lived a life of service. He gave generously of his time, talents, and money. He was not one to be idle and had many projects going. Always an active member of his church, he was especially fond of helping others through Habitat for Humanity, Oaks Indian Mission, the local Thrivent chapter, Meals on Wheels, and the Ramps projects.

Howard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty; his children: June Bullinger of Bismarck; Jeff Seigfreid of Dallas, Texas; and Julie and Travis West of Tulsa; six grandchildren, Michael Sackman, Jamie Sackman, Kayla Sackman, Crystal Lewis, Wade Beall, and Sierra Beall; thirteen great-grandchildren, his sister, Goldie Furgison of Omaha, and his brother Lloyd and Sharon Conklin of Chandler, Arizona; and a large group of extended family and friends.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents, James and Florence Siegfried, and his brother, Boyd Conklin.

A memorial service will be held at Fellowship Lutheran Church, Tulsa, on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. The service will be live-streamed for those unable to attend.