- Date Of Birth: August 25, 1964
- Date Of Death: November 12, 2020
- State: Minnesota
Joseph Wayne Howard, age 56, of Onigum, Minnesota began his journey from his home on Thursday, November 12th, 2020.
Joe was born to Frieda (Oothoudt) and LeRoy Howard at the General Hospital in Minneapolis, MN on August 25th, 1964. He was the second oldest of seven other siblings. Joseph attended Walker School from K-12 as an advanced student all around. In high school, he was on the varsity teams of football, wrestling and track. Joe graduated with honors and scholarships on May 23rd, 1982 leading him to his next step in life. The following fall he attended Macalester College in St. Paul pursuing an Arts degree, but later transferred to Staples AVTI and received his diploma in Natural Resources Technology.
After his schooling he came home doing odds and ends jobs around the area, mostly at resorts, until the first Northern Lights Casino opened. Joe was one of the two men holding the doors while guests entered the Grand Opening in 1991. He started there as a security officer, then tried other positions, until ultimately ending up working with the blackjack tables as a Pit Boss. Joseph worked for the Northern Light Casino for 25+ years until he decided to work for Leech Lake Transportation. Joseph took pride in raising his children. He encouraged them to do their best and do the right thing. If he felt they could do better, he would reassure them in a firm way…that’s just the way he was. He only wanted the best for his children.
He is welcomed home by his grandfather John; grandmother, Frances; father, LeRoy; stepfather, Ray; brother, Francis; sister, Rosalynda; nephews, James, Jason and Eric and great niece, Zendeyah.
Those he leaves behind are his significant other, Rana; mother, Frieda; children, Joseph (Jessica), LeRoy, Jasmine, Amber and Dominic; grandchildren, Deondre, Cecelia, Layla, LeRoy Jr., and Frieda Lynn; great granddaughter, Aria; brothers, Stephen (Nena), Patrick (Rosetta), Daniel (Wanda), Frank (LaVonne) and Aaron; sister, LaVae Oothoudt, numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
