Howard Jordet

Howard ‘Howie’ Jordet. What a guy.

From the farmland of North Dakota to the streets of Minneapolis to the lakes of Northern Minnesota, Howie lived fully, stubbornly and on his own terms. During his 96 years on this earth he built a life defined by hard work, sharp wit and a deep, if sometimes complicated, love for his family. He provided, he showed up, and he endured.

Howard fixed everything, thrived in the yard and in the lake, bowled, made lefse, loved a good breakfast, enjoyed a Manhattan (2 whiskey:1 vermouth, skip the fruit) and, perhaps most important, found a crinkle of humor wherever he could.

He grew up as one of five children and learned early how to hold his own. His stories from those years became family legend—he stole chickens, derailed streetcars and, at just 16, enlisted in the Army and was shipped across the country, under the Golden Gate Bridge and all the way to Japan.

That same determination carried through his entire life. As an electrician with Northern States Power he helped build the Twin Cities metro area. He worked hard, spoke plainly and did not suffer fools. He was a man of contradictions: tough but tender in his own way, opinionated, yet deeply loyal.

Howie was preceded in death by his sons, Daniel and Gary; his brothers, Les and Vern; his sisters, Fran and Lila; and his parents, Olai and Ester Jordet. He is survived by his wife, Diane; his daughter, Nancy; his grandchildren, Signe, Peter (Catherine), and Sasha; his great grandchildren, Mary and Lela; his brother-in-law Paul (Kari); his sister-in-law Gayle (Jeff); nephew Jeffrey; nieces Sara (Ron) and Annie (Andrew); and many more family members who carry forward his stories, his humor, and his resilience.

Some days are tougher than others. Today is one of them. In remembering Howard, we remember a life fully lived, imperfect, unforgettable and entirely his own.