Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at the First Lutheran Church in Winthrop. Pastor Erik Karlson will officiate, and burial will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in rural Franklin.

The visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday at the First Lutheran Church in Winthrop.

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of New Ulm are assisting the family with arrangements at this time.

To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Neil is survived by his wife, Myra Honl of Aitkin; his sons, Bryan (Michelle) Honl of McAllen, Texas, Brad (Kristine) Honl of Centennial, Colorado; his grandchildren, Claire, Nathaniel, Natalie Honl; step-grandson, Jacob Martinez; sister, Devon Kytola of Woodville, Wisconsin; his brothers, Rand (Joey) Honl of Winthrop, Gary (Jeri) Honl of Gaylord, David (Sheila) Honl of Deerwood; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his uncle, Curtis Blomquist; and his aunt, Dolores Honl.

Neil Ellsworth Honl was born December 28, 1939, to Ellsworth and Alta Wyzetta Ione (Blomquist) Honl. He was a 1957 graduate from Winthrop High School and later studied Electronics at the Mankato Vocational School. Early in his life, Neil found his passion for restoring cars and worked in autobody restoration as well as other jobs in Winthrop. Neil was united in marriage to Myra Ann Paulson on May 1, 1965, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in New Ulm. This union blessed the couple with two sons whom together they raised in Winthrop earlier in their life, before moving the family to Mankato. While in Mankato, Neil sold and installed background music working for KYSM Radio. Later in his career, Neil worked in Maintenance at Midwest Electric as well as Roosevelt Elementary School in the custodial department. Together with his wife Myra, the couple retired to Aitkin where they appreciated the good seasons of Minnesota, and wintered together in Mission, Texas. Neil was a true jack of all trades. There was very little in life he did not know how to do, and was always willing to try to figure out new things. He was a teacher, a helper, and a fixer for his friends and especially his family. He enjoyed a variety of hobbies including flying RC airplanes with his RC Model Club, wood carving, car restoration, and playing the hammered dulcimer. Neil loved the outdoors and nature. He enjoyed deer hunting and was also an avid fisherman. He passed on his love for the outdoors as a Boy Scouts of America leader taking his troops on many trips to the Boundary Waters. He was a member of the Bethesda Lutheran Church of Malmo where he enjoyed socializing with the men’s bible study group ROMEO which stood for Real Old Men Eating Out. Neil took great pride in the work he did in life, but what he took the most pride in was the family he helped build. Countless cherished memories will forever stay in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved Neil. Blessed be those memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Riverwood Healthcare Center, the Boy Scouts of America, or the donor’s choice.

Mvfh.org

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