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Submitted: 4/7/24 • Approved: 4/12/24 • Last Updated: 4/15/24 • R275818-G0-S3
Joshua Robert Howe
November 9, 1982 – February 20, 2023
On February 20, 2023, Josh Howe age 40 of Sioux Falls, passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. He was surrounded by loved ones in the home he built for his family. Family will greet friends from 5:00-7:00 Pm, with a scripture service at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at Miller Funeral Home 507 S. Main Avenue. A funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 AM, Wednesday March 1, 2023 at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 1800 S. Katie Avenue. A private family burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for a charity to be selected.
Joshua Robert Howe was one-of-a-kind. The first thing you should know about Josh, or “Fuzzy” as he was affectionately called, is that he was the life of the party. He couldn’t take 10 steps without running into a fellow hockey parent, business partner or customer. He kept us laughing with his sarcasm, impressions, and, let’s just be honest here, smartass comments. He had a gravitational pull that made you want to be wherever he was. (Likely it also helped that he was an excellent chef and grill master.)
Josh also had a little cowboy in him. Rules were more like guidelines. His usual speed was fast and furious. Not much scared him. He was a fierce protector of his loved ones. He was born mischievous and only became more so with age, like a fine whiskey (Old Fashioneds were his drink of choice. Pour yourself one in his honor. While you’re at it, add a prime rib dinner; that was his meal of choice).
Josh was born on a brisk fall day 40 years ago: November 9, 1982, in Sioux Falls, SD. His dad, Ron, early on imparted a love for racing (sprint cars, ATVs, his cherished Ford F-250, you name it) and the family business, Howe, Inc. Josh graduated from Lincoln High School in 2001 and attended Southeast Technical Institute.
Josh started at Howe Inc. as an apprentice and rose the ranks to become vice president in 2012. A fourth-generation employee in the family business, Josh was deeply proud to be a Howe. He carried the weight of his leadership responsibilities every day. He valued his team and often worked around the clock to ensure he generated work for the company and the team felt supported.
Not only was he passionate about leading the Howe, Inc. team, but also supporting the industry as a whole. He volunteered his time for many years with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) and recently became vice president of its board of directors. Throughout his career, he created numerous opportunities at Howe, Inc. to develop the team and inspire young people to join the industry.
Next, his greatest loves of all: Amber, Zander, Averie, and Jett. Josh and Amber married on March 4, 2005. Their firstborn son Zander arrived in 2007 and twins Averie and Jett rounded out the family in 2010. Josh couldn’t get far without his boys following behind, needing to do what Dad does. His “Princess Averie” is a quintessential daddy’s girl. Josh and Amber were best friends, each other’s rock.
In recent years, most weekends for the Howe family were spent crisscrossing the Midwest for the kids’ hockey and softball tournaments. He’d move mountains to support his children’s interests. In 2019, he co-founded South Dakota River Kings Hockey, a youth hockey association, to support other kids and their passions.
Summer free time meant Josh would play ski instructor and boat operator on Lake Madison or the Missouri River. Cold weather meant all things snow sports, hunting, fishing, and (more) hockey. Josh loved surprises, and he was good about interrupting their hectic schedules with a surprise vacation to get away and reconnect. Despite always being on the move, Josh was diligent about stopping to savor the fleeting, beautiful moments in life, as evidenced by the numerous sunset photos he captured.
And, the most important thing you need to know about Josh: He was tenderhearted and endlessly generous with his time, talent and treasure. He loved hard and cared deeply. From plumbing advice and fixing doorbells (OK, make that fix everything) to being a confidant and protector, he was only a phone call away. Above all, Josh never forgot where he came from or where he was going. He worked hard, played hard and savored life.
On February 20, 2023, Josh passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. He was surrounded by loved ones in the home he built for his family.
Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Amber; children, Zander (15), Averie (12), and Jett (12); beloved dogs, Trinity, Henry, and Mera; father and stepmother, Ron and Roxy Howe of Wentworth, SD; mother, Paula Haggar of Wentworth, SD; sister, Desiree (Eric) Hortness of Wentworth, SD; stepbrothers, Brandon Swenson of La Pine, OR and Lance (Haley) Swenson of La Pine, OR; mother-in-law, Karla Westendorf of Sioux Falls, SD; father-in-law, Tony Westendorf of Sioux Falls, SD; sister-in-law, Toni (Joel) Johnson of Tea, SD; five nieces and nephews; and countless family and friends.
Josh was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Bob and Pat Howe; maternal grandparents, Bob and Bev Haggar; and beloved uncle, Jim Monick.
Contributed on 4/7/24 by 9katz
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Record #: 275818