Howard Warman

Dec 29, 2015

Somerset, Wisconsin

Howard John Warman died on December 29, 2015, surrounded by his loving family, at The Gathering at Boutwells, in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. He was 97 years old. Howard was born on June 7, 1918, to Nancy and Anton Warman, of Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. He and his younger brothers, Donald and Ralph, were notorious for creating mischief and innovative ways to have fun in the neighborhood. Most ‘famous’ was their motorized ski plane fashioned from a Model A engine, a salvaged airplane propeller, and an old sleigh, which they used to zoom across the frozen St. Croix River. Howard graduated from Stillwater High School in 1936 and began working at the local telephone company. He was drafted into the United States Army at the start of WWII. Because he achieved such a high score on the communications test, he transferred right into the Army Air Corps, where he trained to be a Communications Officer and pilot. He became a flight trainer, providing leadership and guidance to many young troops. After the war, he returned home and went back to working at the telephone company in Stillwater. He remained in active duty with the Air National Guard, from which he eventually retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. During the summer of 1948, Howard met Edna Vickerman, of Harmony, Minnesota, at the Prom Ballroom in St. Paul. Although, he had asked her roommate to dance first, he ended up asking Edna if she wanted a ride home. She said, of course, as long as he brought all her roommates home, too. He agreed, and thus began a life-long relationship. They were married on May 28, 1949 at Prospect Park Methodist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota and honeymooned on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Howard and Edna had five children while living in a small home next to his parents’ home in Oak Park Heights; Ronald, Nancy, Thomas, Mary and Jeff. He transferred to Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in St. Paul, Minnesota and became one of their lead telephone repairmen. He continued to work there for 42 years. Although he had been raised in town, Howard’s best memories as a child were formed on his grandfather’s and uncle’s farms in Houlton and Somerset, Wisconsin. So, when he had the chance, he purchased a 240-acre farm south of Somerset and moved the family there in 1960. He and Edna worked feverishly in that first year, remodeling the 100-year old farmhouse and tackling their new responsibilities as dairy farmers. He continued to commute to St. Paul daily, often doing chores before and after his job until his retirement. Their youngest child, Jeanne, was born a few years after moving to the farm. When she was just 10 days old, the barn caught fire and burned to the ground. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it was a frantic time. The children, including their newborn, were sent to the neighbors until the fire was out. They herded the milk cows to Howard’s cousin’s farm 2 miles away until the barn was rebuilt. That tragedy aside, Howard was happy on the farm and spent many years working hard to keep the cows milked, in the pasture and fed with crops from his fields. He had a great sense of humor and lovingly forgave most of the shenanigans his wily crew of children concocted. He was also a talented piano player and often entertained the family with his favorite ragtime tunes. Howard and Edna were devout and active members of Christ Lutheran Church. Howard served on the church council, the tithing committee and he was often called upon to do the readings. He had a gift for creative and inspirational writing, and he read with great feeling and expression. In 1978, at the age of 60, Howard found his true calling; he became a Grandpa. His “Santa-like” appearance and demeanor made him the perfect man for the job. He loved all of his 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren dearly, and he was so looking forward to the two new additions expected in 2016. He loved to bounce the babies on his knee, singing, “How d’you do Andy Gump, how are you?” After 66 years of marriage, Howard lost Edna to cancer in 2013. He remained on the farm until June of 2015, when he was injured in a fall and required rehabilitation. He moved to The Deerfield in New Richmond, Wisconsin where he was cared for by their loving and expert staff. Howard enjoyed his last Christmas dinner there with his family. He took ill on Christmas Eve and was rushed to Lakeview Memorial Hospital in Stillwater and later moved to The Gathering hospice facility where he died in peace. Howard is survived and will be dearly missed by his children, Nancy (Danny) Irvin, Tom, Mary (John) Lubahn, Jeff, and Jeanne (Ted) Germain; grandchildren: Amy (Lisa), Tiffany (Justin), Jason (Antonio), Jonah (Heidi), Cody, Willie (Dawn), Dan (Chelsea), Kathryn, Cory (Lisa), Alysha, Alex, Gavin, and Holly (Nick), and great-grandchildren: Hailey, Allison, Leah, Gage, Ezra, Bella and Carter. He is preceded in death by his parents, Nancy and Anton Warman; siblings, Margaret, Donald, and Ralph; son, Ron; and wife, Edna. A Memorial Service with Military Honors by the Somerset American Legion Post 111 for Howard will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, in Somerset, Wisconsin at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior and lunch to follow. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.