Howard Loftesnes

Howard Loftesnes, 80, of Bismarck, ND, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2018, surrounded by family at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, following a hard-fought battle with a recent illness. A Memorial Service celebrating Howard’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 5, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E. Avenue C, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 4, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Ever the teacher, Howard deeded his body to the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences so that a new generation of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare practitioners may continue learning. Cremation and burial will take place at a later date. Howard Arlo Loftesnes was born on August 8, 1938 in Granville, ND to Clarence and Olive (Skarstad) Loftesnes, the 5th of what would be 6 children. He attended school in Granville, where he lettered in track and band and was elected Senior Class President, graduating as a Granville Eagle in 1956. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education as an Eastern Washington University Eagle in Cheney in 1971. Howard joined the United States Air Force on February 2, 1957 and spent most of his service with the 615th AC&W Squadron in Prum, Germany before returning to the States in 1963 where he would eventually land at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, WA and serve until his service ended on June 8, 1965. Following his graduation from EWU Howard taught English in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho until 1975, at which time he accepted a position at Simle Junior High School in Bismarck. He and Jenell moved their family home to ND where he taught 7th grade developmental reading and eventually creative writing and speech, until his retirement in 2000. In 1989 Howard was a finalist for North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Retirement didn’t last long for Howard, as he immediately took his dream job at a beautiful new premiere golf course opening in Bismarck that summer. He was lucky enough to spend his retirement years working and golfing at his beloved Hawktree every spring, summer, and fall … until nearly the end of the season this past October. If his wife and family were Howard’s first love, golf was his second. During his recent hospitalization one of his doctors told him on more than one occasion that at least he timed his illness right, as he would be ready again for golf season come spring. Howard was an active member in many organizations in the community over the years, including the NDEA & its Board of Directors and Foundation, the BEA, North Dakota Women’s Network, United Way Board, DeMolay Advisory Council, Faith Lutheran Youth Ministry Council, and delivered Meals on Wheels several times a month. At the time of his death, Howard had enjoyed singing with the Bismarck Elks Chorus for more than 40 years and was a huge part of the Bismarck Lions Club, earning the esteemed award as a Melvin Jones Fellow “For Dedicated Humanitarian Services” in 2003. There were always boxes of eyeglass in his possession, as he spent many days each week picking up, sorting, and delivering used eyeglasses to people in need. Long politically active, when Howard saw a need he stepped up and ran for the ND House of Representatives as one of the Dem-NPL candidates for District 49 in 1990 and 1992. He put miles upon miles on his shoes during those summers and early autumns, meeting with citizens about their concerns. His vision of North Dakota centered on issues of education, healthcare, women & children, integrity in government, and the environment. Howard married the love of his life, Jenell Brabandt on December 21, 1963. Though they would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this December, theirs is a story that spans 8 decades. From that August day in 1938 when Jenell’s own grandmother carried a celebration cake over to their little farmhouse on the hill, their love seemed destined. It was perhaps both a blessing and a curse that Howard would marry a nurse, as he sometimes felt she hovered, but it saved his life 41 years ago when he survived a massive heart attack. Howard used that experience to make a change for better health and spent the next few decades running or walking daily … and golfing … always there was golf. Howard never took anything for granted, including his health and the love he and Jenell shared. Her nursing school graduation picture to this day had a home on the visor in his vehicle, where he could see it every day.   Howard and Jenell were blessed with two children, son Brett born in April of 1966 and daughter Ann in March of 1968. Howard, with his patience, quick wit, love of reading and learning, and sense of fairness was a wonderful role model. He was a kind, gentle, soft-spoken man, with a no-nonsense attitude who didn’t tolerate cruelty … or tardiness (as his children learned well growing up). With Howard, one learned by following his example how to treat all people, always with respect, whether the closest of friends or the fiercest of adversaries.     Howard is loved and deeply missed by his wife of almost 55 years, Jenell; son and daughter-in-law Brett (Jennifer Klund) of Minneapolis; daughter and son-in-law Ann (Patrick Porter) of Bismarck; his grandchildren Finn and Emma Loftesnes, and Aaron, Demi, Kennedi, Laken, and Boston Porter; sister Corinne Keys, Towner, ND, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Howard was preceded in death by his father Clarence, mother Olive, brothers, Richard, Carl, Robert, and Everett, and his maternal and paternal grandparents. Howard was a voracious reader, a prolific writer, a lover of music, and a lifelong learner. The world is a bit darker today without his light shining brightly, but the number of lives he touched and the positive marks he made are immeasurable. Memorials suggested to: North Dakota United Foundation, 301 N 4th St. Bismarck, ND 58501; North Dakota Junior Golf Association, PO Box 7252, Bismarck, ND 58507-7252; North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46th St., Mandan, ND 58554; Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E. Avenue C., Bismarck, ND 58501.