Randy Rae Howard

Ocheyedan, IA

     Randy Howard, age 70 of Ocheyedan, Iowa died Monday, February 12, 2024, at his residence near Ocheyedan.

     A visitation will be Thursday, February 15th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Ocheyedan Methodist Church.

     A funeral service will be held 10:30 AM, Friday, February 16th at the Ocheyedan Town Hall, with Pastor Steve Swenson officiating.

     Burial will follow at the Ocheyedan Township Cemetery.  

Jurrens Funeral Home of Ocheyedan is in charge of services.

     Randy Rae Howard was born August 10, 1953, at Sibley, Iowa, the son of Ervin W. and Anna Mae Ellen (Jacobs) Howard. He was raised in Ocheyedan and attended the community school. He graduated from Ocheyedan High School in 1971 and continued his education at NWICC for power lineman training.

     He was united in marriage to June Fricke on November 17, 1973, in Round Lake, MN. They resided on an acreage southeast of Ocheyedan, IA and were blessed with two children, Todd and Tonja. He farmed and milked dairy cattle, worked at CD Farm Service, Star Energy, Coop Energy and most recently at CFE. He retired in December of 2018. During his working years he also owned Howard Construction. 

     He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ocheyedan.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, archery, and playing bass guitar for several bands in the area. He also served as a Boy Scout Leader and was active with the Mainstreet Players Theater. He also enjoyed riding horses, motorcycles, genealogy, woodworking and camping trips. He and June spent many hours playing cards. Randy, also known as “Papa Howie” could be found at any and all of the grandkids numerous activities, as they were the light of his life.

     Randy was diagnosed with lung cancer and continued to courageously battle the disease until he passed away this past Monday, February 12, 2024, at the age of 70.

     He is survived by his wife of 50 years, June Howard of Ocheyedan, IA; two children, Todd (wife Sara) Howard of Sibley, IA; Tonja Howard (special friend Marshall Peterson and Marshall’s daughter, McKinley), all of Sanborn, IA; four grandchildren, Jonathan, Brooke, Ella and Aden; his mother, Anna Mae Howard; a sister, Dee (husband Mike) Redinius of Sheldon, IA; a brother, Tom (wife Paula) Howard of Ocheyedan, IA; and several nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     He was preceded in death by his father, Ervin Howard; two brothers, Terry and Brian Howard; parents-in-law, Norman and Gladys Fricke; brother-in-law, Steve Fricke; nephews, Cassidy Voss and Jared DeBerg.

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