Funeral service for Bernard Howard was held 11 a.m. Thursday, October 5, 2017, at Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley, with Rev. David Lieder officiating. Burial took place at the Spring Valley Cemetery. Visitation was held 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at the Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley and continued for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Bernard Cecil Howard, 90, of Spring Valley died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, October 2, 2017.
Bernard Howard was born on November 9, 1926, to Bert Howard and Gertrude (Kappers) Howard in Spring Valley, Minn.
Bernard met Anne Virginia (Burton) Howard while working for Reid Murdock. The couple later married on February 8, 1945. They lived in Spring Valley until 1957 before moving to their farm north of Spring Valley where they farmed the rest of their married life. Anne passed away on February 3, 2001, and Bernard continued to live and work at the farm until becoming a resident of the Spring Valley Care Center in August 2017.
He started working for Hormel in 1944. On March 9, 1945, he entered the United States Army and was stationed in the Philippines at the end of WWII. Following the war, he returned to Spring Valley and went back to work at Hormel until his retirement in 1982. After his retirement he continued farming with his sons and owned Howard Farms Trucking.
Bernard and Anne enjoyed traveling to many places including Switzerland, Hawaii, and to Arizona and Texas in their motor home. He was an avid antique tractor collector – especially his beloved John Deeres. He loved a good dinner followed by a slice of blueberry pie and usually kept a stash of Hershey candy bars close by.
Bernard is survived by his eight children: Patricia (David) Warren of Spring Valley, Thomas (Mary Lou) Howard of Spring Valley, Robert (Mary) Howard of Stewartville, Deborah (Gary) Goettelman of Spring Valley, Dennis (Gwen) Howard of Spring Valley, Terry (Diane) Howard of Spring Valley, Kevin (Vickie) Howard of Stewartville, and Tamera (Steven) Boone of Racine; 26 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, and sisters Viola (Donald) Applen of Chatfield and Eileen (Edwin) Oeltjen of Stewartville.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Anne, a sister, Erma (Chet) Hahn; and one granddaughter, Anne Louise.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to American Diabetes Association or American Heart Association.
Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.