Howard Wayne Staples

Funeral services for Howard Staples of Chokio will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chokio. Reverend Gloria Anderson will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2012 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Summit Cemetery in Morris. Howard Wayne Staples, son of Leon and Mary (Wille) Staples, was born February 17, 1930 in Morris. He grew up on the family farm south of Alberta in Synnes Township. Howard was baptized on April 13, 1930 and confirmed on July 2, 1944 at Peace Lutheran Church in Morris by Reverend Langholz. He attended District 58 Country School in Synnes Township until the 8th grade and graduated from West Central Agricultural School in 1947 completing twelve years of schooling. On February 17, 1952, Howard was united in marriage to Joanne Mae Christensen at Zion Lutheran Church by Reverend Sonnenberg. The couple made their home in Synnes Township farming until the mid 80's. Howard also drove semi for Eystad trucking until 1970 when he began working full time as a lineman at Federated Telephone. He continued working for Federated Telephone until 1994. In his later years, he helped his nephew, Dennis Wernsing, at the farm, which he looked forward to so much every spring and fall. He worked with Dennis up until the Wednesday before his death. Howard was very active in his community and was a member of several different organizations such as: 9F Sportsmen's Club, Our Savior's Lutheran Church council, Synnes Township Board, he was a Luther League Advisor, and was on the West Central Homes Board. In his spare time he enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, watching wildlife, golfing with grandsons, and watching grandsons' baseball games, which was something he looked forward to so much. He also enjoyed playing board games and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren. Howard was a kind-hearted man who loved making people laugh and to feel better when they felt down. He wasn't afraid to tell his grandchildren he loved them and that he was proud of them. He will be dearly missed. Howard died on Friday, May 4, 2012 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 82 years. Howard is survived by his wife, Joanne Staples of Chokio; children, Marie (Mark) Bonebrake of Minot, ND, Leslie (Brenda) Staples of Harwood, ND and Harlan (Darla) Staples of Herman; grandchildren, Austin (Roxanne) Van Zomeren, Brooke Van Zomeren, David Staples, Mark Staples, Sophie Staples, Brandon Staples, Bradley Staples; Great-Grandchildren, Skylar Van Zomeren and one due in November; siblings, Irene (Warren) Riley of Chula Vista, California, Robert (Jeri) Staples of Morris, Stanley (Janet) Staples of Morris, Kathleen (Jim) Kelling of Owatonna and Mary Jean Krei of Maple Grove; and many nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by parents; mother and father in law; 4 brother in laws; and 2 nephews. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of arrangements.