Howard "Howie" Eugene Iveland

HOWARD 'HOWIE' IVELAND (CHEEZER) was born on September 12, 1948 to Howard “Red” and Elizabeth “Betty” (Meyer) Iveland in Luverne, Minnesota, where he was raised. He received his education and graduated from Luverne High School in 1966. He then furthered his education by attending Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. Howie enlisted into the United States Navy in 1968 and served as a heavy equipment hauler during the Vietnam War at Danang in 1969. On June 13th, 1970, during a two week furlough, Howie was united in marriage to Jennifer Holsen at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. He returned to his military station in Virginia Beach, Virginia and was honorably discharged in 1972. The couple was blessed with a son, Nathan in 1974. Howie worked for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia as an installer repairman until an on the job accident in June 1977. After an extended recovery and brief return to work, Howie “retired” in 1980. Howie and Jen later divorced and he eventually returned to Luverne to be closer to his parents. After his retirement Howie became a full-time member of the D.N.C. (Do Nothing Club). As time went on, he perfected his daily ritual of Chit-Chat’s fried egg sandwich at 6:00 a.m., hamburger, pickles, and ketchup at Vinnies’s at 10:00 a.m. and a rib-eye steak at home at 4:00 p.m.

On Saturday, December 1, 2012 Howie suffered an unexpected subdural hematoma on the opposite side of his original brain injury and on Monday, December 3, 2012 he died peacefully at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 64 years, two months and 21 days.

Howie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. His squirrels were the best fed squirrels in his “hood”, and many thought the fattest squirrels to be found in the tri-state area. He also was an avid fan of golf and could arguably be Tiger Wood’s #1 fan. Despite his severe head injury, Howie had a keen intellect, an incredible memory, and a unique ability for telling jokes to anyone, friend or stranger. His sense of humor gave all those he came in contact with a smile. Howie left us all with very special memories that will continue to make us smile and be cherished in our hearts forever.

Howie is survived by his son, Nathan (Lori) Iveland of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; two grandchildren, Finn and Bergen; seven siblings, Linda (David) Johnson of Santa Cruz, California, Sharon Iveland of Felton, California, David (Denise) Iveland of St. Peter, Minnesota, Ruthie (Larry) Brown of Alamosa, Colorado, Mary Jo (Steve) Graphenteen of Luverne, Paula Iveland (Raden Pramugi) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Mark Iveland (Denise Hanson) of Luverne; 7 nieces and nephews; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Betty.

Blessed be his memory!

Memorials are preferred to Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage or Rock County Relay for Life.