Wayne Howard -- Lanesboro

Wayne Lee Howard, 57, of rural Lanesboro, died April 23, 2017, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester.

Wayne was born May 15, 1959, in Spring Grove to Allen and Betty (Lund) Howard. He graduated from the Lanesboro High School and then from the Diesel Mechanics course at the Winona Technical Institute. His father died when Wayne was a young man, so he worked on the farm milking the cows before school and continuing the work when he got home. He continued running the dairy and beef farm, and worked on tractors and machinery. He enjoyed helping out family and friends, fishing, camping, learning about history, gardening, and collecting antiques.

Wayne is survived by his mother, Betty Bigalk of Harmony; two brothers, Ronald (Marie) Howard of Spring Grove, and Cory (Traci) Pederson of Lanesboro; nieces and nephews, Sarah, Erin, Jeremy, and Rachel Howard, Cade and Coy Pederson, Samantha and Andrew Hearrold, and Peter and Thomas Howard; and longtime special friend, Ruth Ann Yonts. He was preceded in death by his father, Allen Howard; stepfathers, Arlen Pederson and Walter Bigalk; a brother, Dale Howard; and a sister, Michelle Hearrold.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Whalan Lutheran Church in Whalan, with the Rev. Patricia Hinkie officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel.