Howard Charles Raschke

Howard Charles Raschke was born to Emil Howard and Marion Ellsworth Raschke on February 2, 1938 in St Paul, MN, the first of two boys. Some of his early years were spent on a portion of an 80 acre farm on the north edge of the city of St Paul, and here began one the great themes of his life, love for nature. His brother was born 4 years later and the family moved several times during the boys’ school years. He graduated from Mechanic Arts High School and entered the University of Minnesota with a partial scholarship studying education with an emphasis on science and mathematics.

It was there that he met Ruthie Eder, who was a mathematics student herself. A relationship began which was slowed down by his being drafted into the US Army. In the 2 years he served his country he and Ruthie wrote numerous letters back and forth, with Howie always sending more than he got, for he had found the one he loved. Upon his return, he found a job with 3M Company, working in a chemistry lab, and he and Ruthie were married on February 12, 1966.

In the first years thereafter, two sons, Richard and Russ, were born, Howard finished his degree, and he continued to advance in his responsibilities at 3M. In 1973, for several reasons, the family moved to 5 acres 30 miles or so from St Paul. It was here that Howard’s love for nature again manifested itself. For many summers, there were large gardens in the ‘back field’ of the 5 acres, large bonfires in the winter and open space, and it was here that Howard found a relief for the stress of his days. The family lived here, near to the city of Hastings, for 14 years, before moving nearer to the Raschke family and to work, in the city of Rosemount in 1987. From Rosemount the boys spread their wings and the couple was left to themselves again.

In 1996 both Howard and Ruth were able to retire, and upon doing so, they moved to Sun City. Howard soon became president of their housing association, and again, his great love of nature came out. Whether it was repairing people’s sprinkler systems, helping them with their lawns, or taking down fruit trees whose time had come, he was happy to get his hands dirty and use his knowledge to make the neighborhood a nicer place. The couple enjoyed their time together, touring the US en route to visiting their sons, and noticing much of the landscape that makes our country great. As such things go, with time, the traveling lessened, and Howard and Ruth began to realize more than ever that the best place to be is “together.” It was on a short 2-day excursion of a date for the purpose of “being together” that he began to feel quite unwell, and the couple returned early to Sun City to seek medical treatment.

It was discovered that he was suffering from cancer which had already spread to other parts of the body, and, after a short battle with ill health and many complications, Howard passed away in the care of White Rose Hospice at Boswell Transitional Care on June 25, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, his two sons, Russ (and wife Sonja) and Richard, and one granddaughter Maddie. His love for the soil, his interest in birds, his knowledge of chemistry, and most of all his love for his family will be greatly missed.

Special thanks to the nurses and the CNAs at Boswell Transitional Care, and to White Rose Hospice, for making his last days as comfortable as possible.

A Mass in memory of Howard will be celebrated on Thursday July 6 at 10:00 AM at St Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Sun City. He will be cremated and his ashes laid to rest at Sunland Memorial Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageGoldenDoor.com for the Raschke family.