Howard A Gandrud

Howard A. Gandrud, age 87, of Champlin, MN, died Saturday, September 21, 2024, at NC Little Hospice House in Edina. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 28th, at Glenwood Lutheran Church, in Glenwood, with Rev. Mark Manning officiating. Visitation will be at the church, one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be in Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Those wishing to view the livestream of the service should visit glenwoodlutheran.com and click on "watch live". Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Howard A. Gandrud, son of Gilman and Elsie (Eckman) Gandrud, was born on March 7, 1937, in Glenwood, MN. He was raised in Glenwood, along with his three siblings, Donald, Kenneth and June. After graduating from Glenwood High School in 1955, Howard entered the United States Army, where he served honorably for three years before his discharge in July of 1958. Once back in Minnesota, Howard enrolled at St Cloud State University.

Mother’s Day1961, Howard attended a Hawaiian themed party thrown by a club known as the Tip Toppers. To be part of the organization men had to be 6’2” or taller and ladies had to be at least 5’11”. As fate would have it, the future love of his life, Marilyn Olson, qualified! The two had a whirlwind romance and wed 6 months later at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in the Twin Cities. Howard enrolled at Dunwoody Technical College where he studied Highway Design before embarking on a 32 year career at the Hennepin County Highway Department. In 1993, he opted for early retirement to care for Marilyn following her diagnosis with ALS.

Howard was a man of many talents. As a young man, he demonstrated his athletic prowess by becoming an accomplished ski jumper at the age of 14, until cut short by a fall and major femur fracture. He also enjoyed playing basketball at Glenwood High School, St. Cloud State University and showcasing his competitive spirit in Okinawa Japan with the US Army Team.

Throughout the early family years, Howard enjoyed camping with Marilyn and their three children, Laurie, Michael and David. In 1977, the two purchased a beautiful wooded lot on Lake Roosevelt, where Howard designed and built the family cabin with help from his brothers, cousins, and sons.  To this day, the cabin remains an important part of his kids’ lives.

The importance of family was instilled in Howard at a young age, leading him to feel a deep-rooted connection to his Scandinavian family heritage. After actively researching and learning about his 50% Norwegian and 50% Swedish family tree, Howard visited Norway and Sweden twice, and hosted a number of relatives from Norway.  Following Marilyn’s death on Mother’s Day in 1994, he spent time traveling the United States in his motorhome and wintering in Arizona. In his free time, Howard liked to build things, play golf, play cards at different community centers and he especially enjoyed a game or three of cribbage on the deck at the cabin with his kids.

Howard Gandrud, also known as Dad, Howie, or Goose, a beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2024, at NC Little Hospice in Edina, at the age of 87 years, having been blessed with a long and vibrant life. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. It seems everyone who knew him has a story to tell, with laughter always being the common denominator.

Howard is survived by his three children, Laurie (Chris Thomsen) Gandrud Thomsen, Michael Gandrud, and David (Heidi) Gandrud; four grandchildren, Kristin (Andy) Burrington, Ryan (Jenna), Alex and Nicholas; one great granddaughter, Greta Burrington; two siblings, Kenneth Gandrud and June (Kevin) Perrizo; nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Marilyn, his brother, Donald, and infant sister, Donna Mae.

Howard’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Memorials in memory of Howard may be directed to NC Little Hospice House, 7019 Lynmar Lane, Edina, MN 55435.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.