Howard E. Lysaker

Howard E. Lysaker, 86, of Mascoutah, IL, born Sept. 4, 1923 in La Crosse, WI, died Saturday, August 14, 2010 at his residence.


Howard retired as a Colonel and Commander of the 11th Weather Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, AK after 30 years of active duty. He helped pioneer the science of tracking weather from airplanes during WW II. He was a navigator and nose gunner on a B-24 Bomber for the 55th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. He flew 37 missions over Guam and Iwo Jima. That squadron was the first, the last and only hurricane hunters of the Pacific. Howard was the recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Clusters, American Theater Ribbon, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit and a veteran of WW II and Viet Nam wars.


He was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Lysaker, his parents, Elmer and Katherine, nee Elsen, Lysaker, two sisters, Carol Lysaker in infancy and Ethel Mae Olsson.


He is survived by his wife, Doris L., nee Ender, Lysaker whom he married in La Crosse, WI Oct. 20, 1950; two sons, Mike Lysaker of Springfield, IL and Jim (Deb) Lysaker of Atlanta, GA; two daughters, Mary Lysaker and Kathy (Don) Rosenkrans, both of Castle Rock, CO; seven grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and a brother, David Lysaker of La Crosse, WI.


Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.


Visitation: There will be no visitation.


Funeral: Graveside services will be held 10:30 AM Thursday, Aug. 26, 2010 in Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse, WI with Deacon Frank Abnet officiating and full military honors provided by the USAF.