Howard LaBrant

Lifelong educator and dedicated family man, Howard Simon LaBrant's love for his family and friends, along with the lessons he instilled and memories he made didn't come to an end with his passing. Howard left us peacefully on October 17, 2022, at the age of 77 surrounded by his family at his home in Rockford, Illinois.
Howard was born on March 14th, 1945 in Baraboo, Wisconsin to Howard and Evelyn LaBrant. He grew up with his brothers, who would call him, "Butch" in Whiting, Indiana, playing sports while mastering life as a middle child amongst all boys.
Howard was the life of the party and a jack of all trades. His friends and family describe him throughout his life as a joker, a builder, a helper, a competitor, a learner, and a teacher. Nothing pleased him more than to lend a hand or a tool, along with a lesson and a story or two. He and his wife, Pat, enjoyed hosting and threw doozies at their home, tailgates for Wisconsin Badger games, and their children's weddings.
His natural charisma, booming voice, and drive to make every experience top-notch made him a favorite among his former students. Howard earned his BS degree in Education from Rockford University and his master's in teaching from National Lewis University. Throughout his long career as an elementary school teacher, he dedicated himself to educating kids and put his special touch on everything, creating experiences that could never be forgotten–Beach Day, sing-alongs, Halloween celebrations, school plays and productions, and always a storyteller. Again, he did more than teach. He got to know the kids, loved his teammates, and loved the community he worked with.
Soccer was a sport that was important to him as a player (he was a phenomenal goalie), but even more so a coach. Always the teacher and the helper, Howard coached youth, high school, and college soccer. His time coaching and his success with both girls and boys soccer at Guilford High School earned him a spot in the Guilford Sports Hall of Fame. He was happy volunteering his time to officiate games and mostly, to share his knowledge and love for the game with his kids and grandkids. You could always find him on the sidelines cheering on his grandchildren.
Everyone who knows Howie knows his love for golf and his willingness to schedule his entire summer around his golf group's list of courses. Golfing made him happy. Howard enjoyed the sport of it but he also loved his time on the course with his golfing buddies. There were a lot of memories and laughs made with Pete, John, and Mark.
He spent his days in retirement traveling to Alaska and Europe, visiting family and friends, grilling, baking his famous oatmeal cookies, continuing family traditions and leading by example. He was a friend of Bill W.
Above all, Howard was a family man. He loved seeing his family members happy and doing what he could to help them achieve their dreams. He is survived by his wife, Pat Devine LaBrant; his children, Jenna (Dan) Benson, Don (Evelyn) LaBrant, and Andrea (Ryan) Carter; his grandchildren, Harper, Colton, Jacob, Nicholas, and Mya; his brother, Bob LaBrant. He will be missed dearly by all he loved but will be remembered for all that he did with and for us while he was here. Howard will be joyfully reunited with his parents and his older brother, Jim McMahon and his younger brother, Roy LaBrant.
There will be a small, private Celebration of Life later. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Northern Illinois Hospice, 4215 Newburg Road, Rockford IL 61108.