Howard Hoovestol

Howard G. Hoovestol, 92, Bismarck, passed away on October 17, 2024.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. 

A private family service with honors will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. 

Howard was born in New Salem, ND on August 29, 1932. He was the second son of eight children born to Axel and Hazel Hoovestol. 

Howard spent his early years in the Almont area attending rural schools and one winter living with his Grandpa Pete while attending school in Almont.

Howard graduated from Mandan High in 1949 and then worked on a seismograph crew. He joined the Army in 1952 and served two years during the Korean Conflict in Japan and Korea. The GI bill earned from his service enabled Howard to graduate from UND in 1961 with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Howard’s engineering career was spent with the Federal Bureau of Reclamation working in Phoenix, AZ, Garrison, ND, and finally Bismarck, ND. During his time in Arizona, Howard worked on designing and establishing power distribution lines. Howard’s largest project with the Bureau was inspecting contract work in support of the Garrison Dam Water Diversion project. At the regional office in Bismarck, Howard served as the Contract Administrator. He retired in December 1987.

While in Garrison, Howard met Karen Fallon and they married on January 27th, 1973. They spent all of their 51 years of marriage in Bismarck where they raised their three sons. In 1977 Howard and his brother Darrell designed and built their own homes south of Bismarck, including completing most of the construction themselves. In 2003 Howard and Karen moved to north Bismarck. 

Howard’s hobbies revolved around his interest in western American history. There was never a museum he could bypass! Over the years, he amassed a large collection of books and cartridges and was considered an expert on these topics by many. He belonged to the American Legion, Bismarck Westerner’s Club, the Sioux Empire Cartridge Collectors, and he also enjoyed co-leading his sons’ 4-H group. His hobbies led him on archaeological digs, hunting for history with his friend Louie Malm and following the Sioux Wars trail with his son Mark. Howard spent many hours researching the Hoovestol and Fallon family trees and was a man who never stopped studying and learning. Howard loved spending time with family, playing countless games, camping trips, and telling stories. He especially enjoyed the arrival of his two grandsons and their visits.

Howard is survived by his wife, Karen; sons Mark (Wendy), Keith (Amber), Brian (Jessica); grandsons James and Alexander; brothers Duane (Angie), Roger (Joan); sisters-in-law Pat, Carol, and Jane Hoovestol and Valerie Collins (Calvin); brother-in-law John Fallon (Tonia); and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents Axel and Hazel Hoovestol; siblings Richard (Rachel), Warren, Darrell, Dorothy (Larry Tanner), Larry; sister-in-law Patty; and parents-in-law Alvah and Ruth Fallon.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Hillview Campus of Missouri Slope Nursing Home for the excellent care they provided Howard during his time there. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.