Pat Howard
December 9, 1918 ~ November 20, 2015
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Ira T. “Pat” Howard, 96, of Miller, passed Friday, November 20, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.
Funeral service were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church, Miller with Pastor Matt Richards officiating. Burial followed at the St. Lawrence Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 24, 2015 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.
Pat was born Dec 9, 1918 in Mason City, Iowa to Ira T. Howard, Sr. and Fredericka (Kurtz) Howard. Pat lived in Mason City for 6 years and moved with his family to Miller SD in 1925. He attended rural school in Hand County, graduating from the 8th grade. Pat was proud of being able to attend Aggie School at South Dakota State College in Brookings in 1932 & 1933. He then returned to Miller and farmed with his father and brother, Alfred, until he married Beatrice (Babe) Lanz on Sept 10, 1941. The couple farmed and ranched in the Miller area for 64 years and was blessed to have been married for 70. In addition to his love of farming and ranching, Pat placed a high value on education. Although Pat didn’t have the opportunity to graduate from high school, he was proud of the fact that his sons and grandchildren were all college graduates.
Pat’s passions on the farm were keeping track of the cattle and crops. Even after being in the nursing home he loved a ride out to the farm so he could check how everything was progressing. Other than enjoying working in the great outdoors he enjoyed family, fellowship, food, fishing, hunting, reading, playing cards along with telling a few stories. He valued and respected his neighbors taking great pride in Greenleaf Township and the people that lived there.
Grateful to have shared in Pat’s life are his two sons: Richard (Jane) Howard of Brookings and Terry (Marsha) Howard of Miller; five grandchildren: Lorelle (Clayton) Deuter of Mitchell, Rachelle (Chris) Engbrecht of Brookings, Chris (Amy) Howard of Miller, Jacque (Jeremiah) Story of Silverdale, Washington, and Lance (Abigail) Howard of Brookings; seven great grandchildren: Jaden and Seth Deuter, Alana and Maya Howard, Natalie, Landon, and Madelyn Story, with an eighth on the way.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Beatrice (Babe) Howard; parents; two brothers: Harold and Alfred; and six sisters: Verla, Marie, Marion, Susie, Edythe, and Maxine.
The family request memorials be directed to the Hand County Hospital building fund, c/o Hand County Health, Wellness, & Community Foundation, PO Box 121, Miller, SD 57362.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Pat’s arrangements.
A Visitation was held on November 24, 2015 at 5:00 PM at Reck Funeral Home, 313 E. 1st Ave. in Miller, South Dakota 57362
A Prayer Service was held on November 24, 2015 at 7:00 PM at Reck Funeral Home, 313 E. 1st Ave. in Miller, South Dakota 57362
A Funeral Service was held on November 25, 2015 at 10:30 AM at First United Methodist Church, 610 East 4th Ave in Miller, South Dakota 57362
A Graveside Service was held on November 25, 2015 at St. Lawrence Cemetery in St. Lawrence, South Dakota 57373
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My sincere sympathy to the family of Pat Howard.
Our deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your dad. Mom and Dad enjoyed your parents so much at Assisted Living in Miller, and I also enjoyed visiting with them at their table. He was a very special person. May God bless your memories of him. Sincerely, Jerry Testerman Meek
Thoughts and prayers for the Howard family
I am very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I could always count on him to keep me on my toes. I truly enjoyed working with him. He had a wonderful sense of humor and I never knew what he would say next. I know he was very proud of his family and looked forward to going "gallivanting." May your many memories of him help you in the days ahead.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Our Deepest Sympathy Dr. Dick and Kathy Splichal
Rich and Jane, Please accept our condolences and prayers. I was fortunate to have met your father. He was a fine man who lived a great life. I am sure you have many good memories to lift you through this time. Hollis and Darleen
DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL THE FAMILY FROM THE DUXBURY/S WE REMEMBER VISITING WITH YOU AT THE ASST, LIVING AND AT THE NURSING HOME WHEN BOB’S MOTHER WAS THERE. KNOW YOU HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF YOUR PARENTS.
Our most heartfelt sympathies to all of Pat’s family. Pat was a good friend and neighbor and a very good man. God Bless you all during this time of grief and mourning and may you know we are keeping you all in our prayers.
So sorry to hear of Pat ‘s passing. What a great man and very much enjoyed his smile and sense of humor and down to earth attitude. Our sincere sympathies to Rich and Terry and their families.
Our deepest sympathy to you Pat’s family, He lived a long life treasure those memories.
terry marsha and family. just heard about terry s dad pat. i am the guy from the origional jensen bros feedstore. in huron sd. even though i dont live near huron any longer. i want to thank you for all the years your family did business with dad and lloyd. you folks put a lot of food on our tables. again my sympathy to your family.
My sympathies to Pat’s family. I visited Pat at Prairie Center home when we were in Miller in August. My sister, Linda in Oklahoma passes on the obituaries from South Dakota that she finds on the internet.