Gordon Eugene Howe

Gordon Eugene "Buzz" Howe, 78, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2026, after a short but hard-fought battle with cancer.

Buzz was born on December 4, 1947, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Eugene "Gene" Charles Howe and Irene Louise (Franzen) Howe. He was the second child born to Gene and Irene and grew up surrounded by family, the outdoors, and the values that would guide him throughout his life.

His nickname, "Buzz," came about at an early age. Named after his uncle Gordon Franzen, Buzz was just two years old when his uncle jokingly declared there could not be two Gordons in the family and began calling him "Buzz." The name stuck, and he would be known by it for the rest of his life.

When Buzz was about two years old, the family moved to rural Palisade, Minnesota, in Aitkin County, where both Gene and Irene had deep roots. He often recalled a happy and simple childhood on the outskirts of town, growing up on venison and fish that his father brought home. The outdoors became a lifelong passion. At age nine, his younger brother Eric, affectionately known as "Pete," was born, and soon after, the family moved into Palisade.

Buzz spent countless hours hunting and fishing with his father, relatives, and close family friends, including Ronnie Dahlquist. Those experiences created memories and friendships that lasted a lifetime. He attended Palisade School through the eighth grade and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1965.

Following high school, Buzz earned a vocational degree in carpentry from Salter Tech in Duluth, MN. He went on to build a successful career in construction, making many lifelong friends along the way. Over the years, he supervised numerous commercial and multi-family residential building projects throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and across the Midwest. Known for his steady leadership, practical wisdom, and ability to bring people together, Buzz had a remarkable talent for coordinating complex projects and keeping them moving forward. Even after retirement, he was often called back to assist with challenging jobs because of his unique ability to manage schedules, subcontractors, and problem-solving on the fly.

On February 14, 1976, Buzz married the love of his life, Jacquelyn "Jackie" Lori (Diedrich) Howe. Together they built a life centered on family, friendship, and adventure. They enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling, and visiting friends and relatives throughout the United States and Canada. Their marriage of more than fifty years was marked by devotion, laughter, and a shared appreciation for time spent with those they loved.

Buzz and Jackie welcomed one daughter, Katie, who he simply adored. In later years, Buzz especially treasured his role as Papa to his three granddaughters. Whether sharing stories, offering advice, or simply spending time together, he cherished every opportunity to be part of their lives.

Buzz is survived by his beloved wife, Jackie Howe; daughter Katie Graeb and her husband, Brian Graeb; granddaughters Josephine Bertrand, Carmen Bertrand, and Cynthia Graeb; sister Marlene Monnier; brother Eric "Pete" Howe and his wife, Sue; brother-in-law John Diedrich; sister-in-law Mary Lee Janzen and her husband, Jerry; sister-in-law Jeannie Caesar and her husband, Doug; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Irene Howe, and his brother-in-law, Clifford Monnier.

Buzz will be remembered for his love of family, his dedication to his work, his enjoyment of the outdoors, and his willingness to lend a hand whenever it was needed. Whether in a fishing boat, at a construction site, around a campfire, or gathered with family and friends, he had a way of making people feel welcome. His stories, sense of humor, work ethic, and generosity will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be Friday, June 5th from 4-6 P.M. in Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home, Aitkin and will continue Saturday, June 6th from 10 AM until the 11 AM Memorial Mass in Holy Family Catholic Church, McGregor with Father Keith Bertram officiating.  To leave a message of condolence, please visit:  www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with McGregor Funeral Home and Cremation Service, McGregor.

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