Howard Rethemeier, 85, Owatonna
Howard Allen Rethemeier, age 85, of Owatonna, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at the Owatonna Hospital.
Howard was born on Nov. 5, 1940, to George and Mabel (Visness) Rethemeier. He attended country schools in Meckinock, N.D., before attending Larimore High School, where he graduated in 1958. Following high school, Howard attended the University of North Dakota and later attended Brown Institute of Broadcasting, where he pursued his interest in broadcasting.
After completing his education, Howard began his broadcasting career at KDOM in Windom, Minn., where he worked for two years.
In 1963, Howard met Patricia Blanchette in Minneapolis. The two were married on July 25, 1964, at Tracy United Methodist Church.
Howard and Patricia moved to Windom, where Howard began working for Northwestern Bell. In 1967, they moved to Owatonna, where they made their home and continued to build their life together for nearly six decades. During this time, he also continued his love of broadcasting by working part-time at KRFO in Owatonna as a radio personality. A job transfer brought them to Arkansas for a few years before they returned to Owatonna where he then retired from AT&T (formerly Northwestern Bell).
Retirement did not slow Howard down. He volunteered with the Salvation Army, Ivanhoe Apartments and Toys for Tots. In addition, Howard worked full-time at Wenger Corp., for 13 years.
He was also a talented tinkerer who enjoyed building electric motorcycles and solar panels. His curiosity and love of nostalgia could be seen in his collection of old cameras and telephones, which he enjoyed finding and preserving.
Howard enjoyed many of the simple pleasures in life. He loved attending car shows, fishing, taking an afternoon nap, and collecting things that caught his interest. He was always curious and enjoyed keeping busy with his many hobbies and projects. Most importantly he enjoyed being a grandparent.
Howard is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia; his three children, Marty (Deb), Eric (Julie), and Andrew; and his grandchildren, Nick Rethemeier, Meghan Shevich (Cody), Victoria Genelin (Sam), Kelly Ortiz (Tony), Logan McGaheran, Cody McGaheran and great grandchildren Theodore, Howard, Landen, Zenovia and Zendaya.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings; Joyce Olson, Ernest Rethemeier, Arnold Rethemeier and brothers-in-law, Wayne Olson and John Elstad and granddaughter, Cristin Pfannenstiel He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, who will cherish the many memories they shared with him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign in Owatonna or Owatonna United Methodist Church.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at Owatonna United Methodist Church, 815 E. University St., Owatonna, with Pastor Jon Schultz presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.