Howard Stavem

Howard Stavem left this

earthly world on Thurs-

day, August 11, 2022, tak-

ing a kind and old soul

that has touched many

along with him.

Howard was born Ben

Howard Stavem on the

farm near Mohall, ND, in

Cutbank Township on

Aug 19, 1926, to Oliver

and Alma (Swanson)

Stavem. He was the old-

est of three children. His

little brother, Raymond,

died in 1936, so Howard

learned loss early. He

grew up in the Depression

when times were hard, on

the banks of the crick of

Cutbank Township. He

was a patient, unselfish

man who demanded little,

but gave much of himself.

He had a strong sense of

loyalty and duty, and a

great sense of humor and

a sharp wit. His large

smile lit up many a room,

while teasing his children

and grandchildren with

funny one-liners. When

things were bad, his

response was “Aw, geez.”

Howard started Diesel

Mechanic School through

correspondence, but had

to quit when the farm

needed him more than

school. One of his duties

was to drive his sister, Eli-

nor, cousins Donald and

Delores Stavem and

neighbor kids to school

every day with his bay

horses, Prince and Babe,

pulling the sleigh or

sometimes the stonebolt.

He was drafted three

times, but refused by Un-

cle Sam due to flat feet all

three times. He was a

boxer, ice skating racer,

accordion player, and

quite the dancer in his

younger days. Other loves

were horseshoes and

cards, which he was quite

good at. His tall lanky

frame and easy smile were

never hard to spot.

Howard worked at the

Cook and Keup Turkey

Farm for years, and

farmed in Mohall until

1968, when he moved the

family to Minot. He

worked for various com-

panies in Minot, includ-

ing Morris Rod Weeder,

Muus Lumber, Gulf Gas

Station, Aasen Sodding,

the College Garage and as-

sisted his wife with the

operation of J & M Adult

Foster Care for five years.

He finally retired in 2000

at the age of 74.

He always gave more

than necessary at his posi-

tions, and was a much

valued employee, espe-

cially at the College,

where a co-worker got

him re-instated after his

position was eliminated

for financial reasons. 50

years after he left one po-

sition, the son of the own-

er remembered his father

talking about Howard’s

loyalty as an employee.

He always came to the

rescue when his kids

needed him, and was not

one to chastise when they

made mistakes. Howard

enjoyed playing cards

with his children, teach-

ing them strategy and

math, or making music

with the little family

band. He noticed the

small things, like the

color of ink on a Christ-

mas card and the name of

the paper boy from long

ago. Many of his

children’s friends remem-

ber Howard giving them a

hand up, such as a pair of

work boots, a ride to

work, or a place to feel

safe.

His kindness and pati-

ence was more readily ob-

served when dealing with

his animals. Horses were

his first love, and he con-

tinued this throughout his

life. Animals gravitated to

him naturally, as did

small children. There

were always squirrels, tur-

keys, birds and even deer

at his Minot residence. He

even had a pet badger at

one point.

The man was a gentle

giant to his own children,

and even named a hero by

one grandchild. He taught

all three of his daughters

how to drive a car the

same day. Patience!

His friends were of

many years standing, and

loyalty was just one of his

many fine traits. He left

behind big shoes, with big

impressions. Giving his

last dollar, his lunch, or

his time, there will be a

void where Howard once

was on this earth.

On Dec. 18, 1951, Ho-

ward married Carol Myler

from Douglas, ND, in the

Zion Lutheran Church in

Mohall. The couple went

on to have six children,

and moved to the family

farm where they lived for

the next 18 years.

Howard is survived by

his wife, Carol, daughters:

Mary Schimmel, Linda

Harshman, Rose (Matt)

Enney, and sons: Ray

(Sue) Stavem, Dale

(Tannis) Stavem, and Kurt

(Jennifer) Stavem; 17

grandchildren, 21 great-

grandchildren, and sister

Elinor Homann, who has

been residing with him in

his final months. He is

also survived by 2 nieces,

Debi Halvorson and Diane

Poitra. He was preceded

in death by his parents:

Oliver and Alma Stavem,

brother: Raymond, five

grandchildren: Richard

Harris, Jennifer Cunning-

ham, Charles and Chris-

tian Stavem, Matthew Ro-

vig, one great-grandson:

Thomas Young, and one

nephew: David Homann.

Visitation and viewing

will be Tuesday evening

at Thomas Funeral Home

from 5 pm to 7 pm.

A Celebration of the

Life of Howard Stavem

will be held at the Apos-

tolic Faith Church in

Minot on Wednesday, Au-

gust 17th, at 11 am. Im-

mediately following the

memorial, Howard will be

laid to his final rest beside

his beloved Uncle Ole in

the Mohall Cemetery. A

luncheon and fellowship

will be served at the Para-

gon Cafe in Mohall for

family and friends upon

completion of the grave-

side service.

Memorials are preferred

for Parkinson’s and Canc-

er research. Memories and

condolences may be

shared at www.thomas

familyfuneralhome.com.