Elmer Howe

Obituary

Elmer Harlow Howe was born on December 1, 1930, on the family farm to Elmer W. and Lillian (Mraz) Howe. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith, and a member of First Congregational Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He attended Heatwole Country School and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1949.

On July 18, 1953, Elmer was united in marriage to Eunice Bluhm, which happened to be on Eunice’s 19th Birthday. This marriage was blessed with four children: Alan, Sherri, Jackie and Gayle. Elmer and Eunice shared 70 years of marriage. Their home was filled with candy, music, love and pride. Elmer was quick to list off his 15 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren and was proud to support all of them.

In his younger days, “Sonny”, as Elmer was known, loved to be active. He was a member of 4-H and FFA. Elmer played fast pitch softball, broomball, and wrestled with a competitive spark. He continued playing for various fast pitch teams into adulthood. His grandkids all recall him showing off his strong fast pitch arm.

Elmer was a lifelong dairy farmer south of Hutchinson on the home farm where he was raised. He began registering cattle under the farm name Howe Holsteins. Elmer was an avid Red and White Holstein breeder with many bred and owned Excellent Registered Holsteins over the years. He exhibited numerous award-winning cows at the MN State Red and White Holstein Shows. In addition to his cows, he took great pride in his team of Belgian horses and horse drawn wagons. He brought them to parades, area fairs and threshing shows. Elmer loved hauling cattle with his trailer, cow shows, the McLeod County Fair, and World Dairy Expo. Elmer’s lifelong love of farming was passed down to many of his children and grandchildren.

Elmer was involved in the McLeod County Livestock Breeders, McLeod County Holstein, MN Red and White Holstein, MN State Holstein, and the McLeod County Agricultural Association, among others. He achieved many milestones, accomplishments, and awards over the years. Elmer’s list of notable dairy achievements is hard to complete but includes: Red & White Holstein Livestock Breeders Hall of Fame Inductee, World Dairy Expo Red and White Holstein Intermediate Champion with BEC001 Blossom, World Dairy Expo 2nd place 5-year-old and Reserve All-American with Kentville Stardust Skyla, World Dairy Expo Reserve Jr Champion with Elm Oak R-Cindy, and numerous Premiere Breeder and Exhibitor Awards at the MN State Fair. He was the recipient of the Aggie Award, Chamber of Commerce Young Farmer Award, and was the first recipient of the Hutchinson Ag Person of the Year.

Elmer enjoyed hosting events and inviting guests out to their beautiful farm. Those who had the pleasure of attending an Elmer Howe barn dance over the decades enjoyed dancing the night away to a live polka band. He loved to show guests his beautiful red barn and cows by hosting church hog roast picnics and twilight meetings. He was the co-founder and original host of the Farm City Day Breakfast and brought cows to Dairy Days in town for several years.

Elmer loved to play the button key accordion and harmonica, without being able to read a single note of music. It was always in the back seat of the truck for a family wedding, community event or spur of the moment concert whenever there was a crowd. Elmer loved to play cards, go deer hunting, attend area fish fries, and scouting out road ditches that needed to be baled. He enjoyed watching Minnesota sports and reading the daily paper. He also loved fishing and enjoyed taking fishing trips to Canada with Eunice and neighborhood friends.
Elmer’s lively and exaggerated stories along with his ability to make a conversation with anyone will live on in our memories and conversations for decades to come.

Elmer passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024, at Glencoe Regional Health in Glencoe, at the age of 93 years. Blessed be his memory.

Elmer is survived by his
Wife, Eunice Howe of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Sherri Arneson of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Jacolyn Rickeman and her husband, Scott of Hutchinson, MN,
Daughter-in-law, Clarine Howe (Paul Merkins) of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Jaren (Tammy) Howe, Kile (Cassie) Howe, Jayce Howe, Kevan (Kelsey) Howe, Kaylee (CJ) Albrecht, Melanie (Alex) Henning, Andrew Arneson, Robert (Heather) Arneson III, Kelly (Nathan) Winter, Tracy Rickeman, Casey (Brian) Walters, Neil (Alison) Rickeman, Kelcie Howe (Josh Wendlandt), Garry (Kristina) Howe, Kassi Uecker;
Great-grandchildren, Austin, Tanner, and Taylor Howe, Brielle and Lauren Howe, Aubrey, Eleen, and Kurt Howe, Caydence, Ty, Lennon, and Baby Boy Albrecht, Gavin, Lillianne, and Axel Henning, Brooklyn and Huntley Arneson, Brooks Arneson, Matilyn and Jack Winter, Riley, Jordan, and Brynn Walters, Natalie and Russell Rickeman, Kinsley and Griffen Wendlandt, Harlow Howe, Elayna and McCoy Uecker;
Sister, Ellen Fratzke of Hutchinson, MN;
Brother-in-law, Roger Bluhm of Cokato, MN;
Close Family Friend, Mikel Brasch of Brownton, MN;
along with many other relatives and friends.

Elmer is preceded in death by his Parents, Elmer Sr. and Lillian Howe; Sons, Alan Howe, Gayle Howe; Siblings and Brothers-in-law, Caroline and Gordon Mehlhop, Inez and Melvin Koester, Elnora and Leonard Michaelis, and Robert Fratzke; Parents-in-law, George and Rozella Bluhm.