John "Jack" Howie

Jack J. Howie age 85 of Bemidji, MN passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday January 29th, 2025.

Jack was born to Gladys and Dewey Howie on September 11th, 1939, in Empire, Minnesota. At a young age Jack and his family moved to Bemidji, Minnesota where Jack met Marlys Beighley Burnham. They were married in 1962 and raised 3 beautiful children, Joey Kristi and Jay. In 1985 Jack and Marlys followed their children from Bemidji,
down to the twin cities. They lived in a couple of places before calling Burnsville home until 2012 when Marlys passed, just a month shy of 50 years of marriage. Jack then decided to move back to Bemidji where he stayed until his passing. Jack enjoyed hockey-even coaching a few years with his brother-in-law, Morris. His other favorite pass times were snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his buddies John Anderson and Jimmy George, or his morning breakfast/coffee crew at Simonsons Café. Baseball, football, and volleyball were also common for him to watch as his grandchildren participated in multiple sporting events, and he was their number one fan. He also
enjoyed playing cribbage. Do not forget his obsession with whistling, A LOT, and watching his westerns and his “Oompa” show whenever you stopped by for a visit. Throughout his 85 years you could say he was a “Jack” of all trades. From being a carpenter foreman for 15 years at Lake Head Construction, building a few homes they lived in over the years, building furniture, driving dump trucks, a janitor at Bloomington Schools and RDO Equipment
Company in Burnsville before retiring.

Jack will be forever remembered by his children Jay (Kristi) Howie, Joey Burnham (Jodi O’Neill), and Kristi (Jim) Traut of Belle Plaine. Grandchildren Danika Traut (Brandon Thompson) of Belle Plaine, Chelsi (Zac) McLellan of Bemidji, Jayden (Shannon) Howie of Cologne, Kevin, Bradley, and Jason Burnham of Big Lake. Great Grandchildren Jamison Monnens, Marlie and Mason McLellan and Henry Howie. Siblings Gloria Beighley of Bemidji, and George Howie of Faribault, brother-in-law Morris (Sherry) Beighley of Cohasset and sister-in-law Marlene Mullin of Jordan. As well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was welcomed home by his parents, wife Marlys, brothers Hugh, DuWayne, Vern and Don, sisters Edna, Betty, Margaret, and Shirley.

No services are planned at this time.

Jack’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral, Walker, MN. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.northernpeace.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John "Jack" Howie, please visit our floral store.