Howard Person, Thief River Falls, age 63, passed away on Monday, October 1, 2018 at his residence in Thief River Falls, surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral Service was held on Friday, October 5, 2018 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Rev. Darrel Cory officiating. Interment followed at Valle Cemetery, rural Oklee.
Howard Arnold Person was born on April 11, 1955 in Fosston, the son of Arnold and Carolyn (Spencer) Person. On May 15, 1955 Howard was baptized into the Lutheran faith at Valle Lutheran Church in Oklee. He confirmed his faith on April 11, 1971.
Howard graduated from Oklee High School in 1973. Following high school Howard attended the University of Minnesota Crookston, graduating in 1975 with an Associate degree in Applied Science. He went on to further his education at NDSU in Fargo, ND, and graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science. Howard finished his education with a Master’s degree in Diversified Agriculture and Animal Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
On August 16, 1985 Howard was united in marriage to Rita Hoffart at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. They made their family and life together in Thief River Falls.
Howard’s vast career started in the Pennington County 4-H Program. He then took a position as a County Agriculture Extension Agent in East Polk County. In 1985 Howard returned to Pennington County, working as their Extension Agent. That position eventually also covered Marshall County. After 37 years of service, Howard retired in November of 2015.
Howard received numerous awards and honors throughout his career from the state, local, and federal levels.
Howard was well known for his laughter that filled rooms wherever he went. He liked to spend his time hunting, fishing, gardening and canning, woodworking, and road tripping to look at crops. Time spent with his grandsons, family, extension family, and friends was important to him. Howard will be remembered as a gentle, kind, and generous man.
Howard is survived by his loving wife, Rita of Thief River Falls; daughters, Sondra (Jeremy) McLean of Grand Forks, ND, Christie (Todd) Knaack of Princeton, and Kristen (Nathan) Benidt of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Joseph Knaack, Dylan McLean, Jack Benidt, and Andy Benidt; mother, Carolyn Person of Oklee; sister, Peggy (Daryl) Schumacher of Crookston; brothers, Mike (Nancy) Person of Hendrum, and David (Jenny) Person of Oklee; many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Howard was preceded in death by his father, Arnold Person; sister, Leann Palmer; and his grandparents.
Condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com