I have been working on wrapping up Howard's material life and preparing farewells (see at the end for information about his service).  I brought over cookies and a heartfelt thank you to Our Lady of Peace, and got to say thank you to my "favorite" RN and LPN.  I've been cleaning out his place at Eagle Crest, and have been running into his friends there.  I learned today that he was the back up squirrel feeder for one woman.  As was the case with my mom's passing, I imagine that as people connect with me I will learn things about him I didn't know.

I'm still fiddling with it, but this is the obit I'm preparing that will run on April 29th.

Howard Rassier, age 87, formerly of Fridley, passed away peacefully April 2, 2018.

 

Howard was born a farm in St. Joseph, MN during the depression.  He joined the Navy during the Korean Conflict and proudly graduated from St. John’s University.  He then moved to the Twin Cities to begin a 45-year career in accounting and finance and lived as bachelor (eating his supper out of the pot he cooked it in) until he joined the Catholic Alumni Club (otherwise known as catch-a-Catholic) and met Alice.  They moved into their first and only home in Fridley in 1966 and Rebecca was born one month later.  Howard enjoyed home improvement (Menards!), tending to the yard, basset hounds, reading military history, participating at church, creating a beautiful home with Alice, and contributing to the Melody Manor neighborhood.  In retirement, Howard was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus (BVM Council 4381) and was a Knight of the 4th degree (Assembly 2604). Howard cared for Alice while she succumbed to Alzheimer’s and through his immense sacrifice and devotion demonstrated the power of faith and the commitment of a 50-year marriage. In his last years, he moved to independent living and made new friends at Eagle Crest.  Throughout his life, people were amused by his dry humor that caught you by surprise.  Howard’s family is greatly appreciative of the loving care he received in his final days from Our Lady of Peace hospice. Howard will be missed by Rebecca and her husband Michael, his brother John, extended family, friends, and neighbors.  

 

Memorial mass Saturday, May 5, at 10:00 AM at The Church of St. William, 6120 5th St,. Fridley. Visitation one hour prior and lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Our Lady of Peace are preferred.