Howard James Soldan

Howard Soldan (90), surrounded by his family, died peacefully Wednesday, April 4, 2018.  He was born in Gladwin, Michigan May 29, 1927, the youngest of nine children of Daniel and Martha (Bollert) Soldan.  He graduated from Gladwin High School, and worked briefly on Mackinac Island before being drafted into the Marine Corps at the end of the World War II.  He was stationed in Tsing Tao China to guard Japanese prisoners.

On returning stateside, Howard worked at the Wohlert Corporation in Lansing, Michigan, where he met his future wife, Erna (Zielke).  They were married June 2, 1951.  Howard, always the entrepreneur, purchased Ruhf’s Feed Store on South Logan St. (Martin Luther King Blvd. today) in 1955.  His gifts of making deals and his mastery of customer service made his little store a beacon in the Lansing area.  The original store was expanded and remodeled numerous times over the years.

Howard’s youngest son, Howard II, worked with his Dad to expand the business to 10 locations at its peak.  Today Soldan’s Feed and Pet Supplies, in Howard II’s capable hands, serves Okemos, Bay City, Charlotte, Dewitt, Midland, Mt Pleasant, and two Lansing locations in the Mid-Michigan area.

Howard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Erna (Zielke) Soldan (92); his 4 children, Gerry (Candy), Ted (Alice), Patty (Jeff), and Howard II (Sheri); 8 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, with interment to follow in Evergreen Cemetery.  His family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday.  Memorial contributions may be made to Capital Area Humane Society in memory of Howard Soldan.