Sylvester Honer

Sylvester “Bud” Kenneth Honer was born November 26, 1935, in Perham, Minnesota. His parents were the late John and Julia (Fiedler) Honer. Bud was the youngest of five children. He attended Dent School through the 8th grade. Bud graduated with the Class of 1953 from Perham High School. He honorably served in the United States Army from October 18, 1955, to October 19, 1957.

Bud was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Dent, Minnesota. It was there he was baptized, confirmed, and married the love of his life, Barbara Faye Hunter, on September 28, 1961. Their marriage was blessed with six children they absolutely adored and who adore them in return. Bud and Barb built a new home just outside of Dent on family land where they lived until 1996 when they built another home just up the road. When Dad finally slowed down, it was here he loved to sit in his chair and watch traffic go by on Highway 108. Most of Dad's days started with breakfast at Nootzi's where he spent many hours visiting with old friends and many hours making new.

In 1958, Bud started working for the Dent Co-op Creamery; his start in a career of milk hauling. When the creamery closed in 1970, he and fellow hauler, Ray Harthun, started H&H Milk Hauling to continue to serve local farmers. In 1980, the partnership dissolved, and Bud's Milk Hauling was formed which still operates today. Bud was also a partner-owner in the Dent Equity Mill from 1978 to 1996. 

Dad's true passion was farming. There was nothing he enjoyed more than being in a tractor working his farmland, from morning until night, stopping only to have supper with his family. In more recent years, Dad traded the tractor for his pickup, spending countless hours driving around checking the crops and cattle.  He could often be found napping in his pickup at the cattle shed.  

It did not matter how long Dad’s workday was, between hauling milk and farming he always had time to spend with us kids.  Whether it was playing kickball in the basement or rides in the wagon pulled behind his motorcycle up and down the driveway, Dad’s love was so evident.  We believe it was his daily ten-minute power nap on the kitchen floor that gave him the energy to be a great dad.

As adults, no matter how often we visited, the last question Dad asked as we were leaving was, “When are you coming back?” Dad simply loved being with family. His grandchildren especially brought him joy.

On October 26, 2019, Dad passed away with family by his side at Perham Health at 83 years of age. 

Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Barb, who passed away just seven weeks ago; grandson Ethan Honer; brother Ray Honer; sisters Catherine Weegman and LaVerne Hendrickx; and parents-in-law Frank and Vi Hunter.

Left to cherish his memories and miss him immensely are his children: Wanda and Kevin Lohmiller of Wadena; Sue and John Von Ruden of Perham; Pam and Dan Nodsle of Dent; Pat and Brad Helmeke of Frazee; John II and Debbra Honer of Dent; Kim and Merle Byer of Perham; grandchildren: Julia and Donny Hoffert, Brady and Sarah Winter, Claire Honer, Evan and Sam Lachowitzer, Hilarion Byer, Marlee and Jordan Novak, Ivan Nodsle, Mason Lohmiller, Sophie and Daniel Briard, Ivy and Tyler Whitcomb, Griffin Helmeke and Taylor Feist, Hunter Nodsle, Mollian Von Ruden, Sutton Lohmiller, Morgan Byer, Ella Von Ruden, Eve Honer, Lila Lohmiller, John Honer III, and Carson Byer; great-grandchildren: Eden, Elliot, Oscar, and Archer Hoffert,  Reed, Connor, and Miles Winter, Leisel Novak, Mila Helmeke, Esme and Alois Lachowitzer, Emmett and Oliver Whitcomb, and Henry and Abel Briard; sibling Bernadette Guck; sisters-in-law Lorraine Honer, Deloris Brown, Pat Adams, and Betty Seiple; plus a ton of nieces,  nephews, family, and friends.

Losing Dad adds to the emptiness of losing our Mom, but knowing they have been reunited and the promise that we will all be together again, comforts us.  To the best Daddy EVER – We love you!  Give Mom a hug.

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