OBITUARY
Howard Vaala
January 8, 1946 – March 23, 2013
Beloved Husband, Father Grandfather & Friend
Passed away on March 23rd, 2013. Howard joins his Parents, Elvin and Alpha Vaala and his Sister, Mary. He is survived by his Loving Wife, Francesca; Daughters, Monica (Tony) Sanders and Amanda Ressler; Grandchildren, Garrett, Chandler, Harrison, Magna, Ezme and Andrew. He is also survived by his Sister, Ellen Boe and Brother, Leslie Vaala; One Niece, Nephews and Many Wonderful Friends. Howard was a man who knew something about everything and was always there to lend a hand. He loved to fish, golf, was our computer guru and was active in the Loyal Order of the Moose. He will be deeply missed by all. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 29 at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, 8500 Hillside Trail in Cottage Grove with a Gathering of Family and Friends one hour prior. An Evening Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 28 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home, 2195 Woodlane Drive in Woodbury.
Services
- Evening Visitation Thursday, March 28, 2013
- Gathering of Family & Friends Friday, March 29, 2013
- Memorial Service Friday, March 29, 2013
REMEMBERING
Howard Vaala
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RECEIVE UPDATESMarch 22, 2014
Francesca & family,
May your reflections of times with Howard bring comfort to you on this first anniversary.
Steve & Mary Anderson
March 22, 2014
Dear Francesca, It's hard to believe that Howard has been gone for a year. He was a wonderful man and he left a most positive impact on everyone with whom he came in contact. IdaLee joins me in sending our love. Lou Hurvitz
Denise Jackson
March 29, 2013
Francessca I am so sorry to hear of Howard's passing. You are and will always be in my prayers.
Bruce Uttermark
March 28, 2013
Sorry to hear about Howard's passing. I was a classmate(GFHS Kilowatt-1964). I remember the pickup hockey games at the east side rink and dorm visits at our first year at the U(Also saw Leslie at the 24 hour library at Diehl Hall). Howard was always an upbeat guy that had a plan for everything.
Marilyn and Dave Solo
March 28, 2013
Francesca and family, it pains us, deeply, to know what you're going through, a great man leaves a large empty space in your lives. We hope his memory will keep you moving forward and living each day knowing how he touched your hearts and left an everlasting impression. Very heartfelt sympathy to all. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron Cropsey
March 28, 2013
Very sorry to hear about his passing. I have many fond memories. Deepest condolensces and prayers.
Larie Ann Schmidt
March 28, 2013
So sorry to hear about Howard's death. We worked together at MMIC in the good old days, and used to have some great times... doing crazy things.. including flying a kite with other IT people in South Dakota-- he has a spirit for living that I have never seen... He will be missed. Please accept my deepest sympathy... So very sorry for your loss, Francesca.
Steve Anderson
March 28, 2013
Rest in peace my friend.
Steve Anderson
March 28, 2013
Frankie & family, my heart felt condolences. It's not hard to imagine how special Howard must have been in your lives. I guess God knew that too and couldn't wait any longer.
Howard, I'm really going to missing you. Whether it was solving the worlds problems in the garage with beer in hand, plotting against our furry night time visitors, engineering an equipment fix, or practicing our lumberjack skills, I always enjoyed hanging around with you. Summers won't be the same without you. Good bye for now good buddy, I'll see you again someday.
Peter Hauff
March 27, 2013
I'm sorry to here about Howards passing. He was a good friend my Wife Laura.
Micki and Mark Flascher
March 27, 2013
Friends of the Moose will always be at your side for love and smiles!!! Corrine and Howard are up in Heaven looking down at us and making sure we are still having the fun that us moose people do!!!!
Linda Jorde-Aarthun
March 27, 2013
So sad to see this news. I was just telling about kittenball on Sunday nights and then saw Steves post on the same thing. Those were the good old days. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Linda Jorde Aarthun
March 27, 2013
Your Father looks like he was a great man. We are sorry for your loss.
Love the Marx family
Steve Moriarty
March 27, 2013
I had the great pleasure of getting to know Howard and Frankie as members of a Sunday night “Kittenball” Team called the “Old Duffers” back in the mid 1980s. Those were delightful times in large part due to gregarious, happy-go-lucky nature of these 2 very lovely people. I love the picture on this site, it captured his essence perfectly. I am truly sorry that our lives drifted apart after our softball days were over. We are all better people for having known Howard. My deepest sympathies to Francesca, Monica, Amanda and their families, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tom Johnson
March 27, 2013
Vaala Family,
The Johnson family at Bay Lake are deeply saddened to learn of Howard's passing. Your visits to our cabin were so special to us and one of the most anticipated events for so many summers. Howard was such an easy going character and I'll always remember him with a fishing pole, a bottle of Pfeiffer beer and stories to tell. We still reminisce about those stories around the dock. We send a prayer out to Howard and your family and I'll remember Howie when I'm fishing on Bay Lake this summer
Carol Edmand
March 27, 2013
Francesca and Family,
Thinking of you and hoping the love and memories keep you strong during this sad time. Still have great memories of Howard at some of our Brush With Kindness projects . . . Mr. Handyman!! Love you!
James DeMarre
March 26, 2013
Howard was a good guy. Lots of good memories working the iron with him at Sander's Steel. He gave me a lot of good advice. It is true, he did know a lot about everything.
March 26, 2013
Francesca, Monica and Amanda. Howard/Dad was someone to be amazed at. He always knew how to reinvent himself. From selling cars, pharmaceuticals, personal banker, computer tech to iron worker. He was adventurous and always seem to succeed. I envy someone that could make those life changes and learn something new. The picture you chose of Howard is so typical, big grin, twinkle in his eye and his chuckle. I loved his chuckle. Howard, love you, mean it (from the bottom of our hearts). Hugs and Kisses and Peace and Comfort to all of you. Marlene & Larry
March 26, 2013
Oh Francesca - I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Howard. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
My deepest sympathies,
Lisa Andrew-Burkhart
March 26, 2013
Francesca, this is a difficult time, but try to be comforted by the love and support from your friends and family. Florida will not be the same without Howard, he will be missed.
Lynda Grippi
March 26, 2013
Francesca and family,
I was so saddened when I heard of Howard's passing. He was a great guy and will be so deeply missed. Hans's and my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. He will be missed.
Hans and Joanne
Brenda (Kvaal) Johnson-Love
March 26, 2013
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
March 26, 2013
Dear Francesca, I am so sad to have learned of your loss. Howard was a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed. IdaLee joins me in expressing our sincere sympathy. Lou Hurvitz
Jeff & Traci Bennett
March 26, 2013
Howard's family is in our thoughts & prayers.What a great guy.I will miss talking to him at conventions with the Moose,that is how I meet him.Rest in Peace our frind.Jeff & Traci Bennet,& Kayla Thompson.Lodge 1703,Chapter 1643 Albert Lea.
March 26, 2013
Monica,Frankie,Amanda, so sorry to hear about Howard, he was a great man,my thoughts and prayers are with you.
love you all - Michele Sirvio-Johnson
March 25, 2013
My dearest Francesca,
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers now and always.
Howard was such a wonderful man and I loved calling your home just to hear him tell me some wild story about where you were and why you were NOT home!
He will be missed by us all.
Be strong, my friend.
All our love,
Mary Lou and Bill Dunn
Patty Wiemann
March 25, 2013
Francesa, Monica, and Amanda. I am truely sorry to hear about the passing of Howard. Be at comfort knowing he is happy and without pain now. I have happy thoughts of knowing him as a little girl to adulthood. Love you.
March 25, 2013
HOWARD WAS A TRUE GENTLEMAN, A DEDICATED MOOSE MEMBER AND A GOOD FRIEND. WE WILL MISS HIS ENTHUSIASM AND COMPANIONSHIP. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. AMEN
PAT & KATIE PARNELL
March 25, 2013
On behalf of the Minnesota Moose Association we would like to send our sincere sympathy to the family of Howard Vaala. He was just getting involved with the Minnesota Moose Association and we appreciate everything he has done, in his Lodge, Legion and District, he will be missed my many.
Gerald Janu, Secretary
Minnesota Moose Association
Tim and Pam Slabik
March 25, 2013
There are no word that will comfort you. Know that you are loved and we are here for you. I know that Howard had an 8:00am tee time with Pete Pederson and they both shot par.
Our deepest sympathies.
FROM THE FAMILY
IN THE CARE OF