Howard Theodore Doucette

Howard Doucette, 85 year old resident of Fort Ripley, MN, died Tuesday, September 16 at the St. Cloud Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 20 at 10:30 A.M. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie, MN, with Father Joseph Herzing officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Friday, September 19 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN and from 9:30 A.M. until the hour of the service on Saturday at the church. A parish prayer will be said at 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home on Friday evening.

Howard T. Doucette was born November 3, 1928 in Belle Prairie Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late Theodore and Frances ( May ) Doucette.He attended school in Little Falls and graduated with the class of 1948.He served his country in the United States Army from February 23, 1952 until his honorable discharge on October 24, 1952.He was united in marriage to Juliann Lattimer on September 22, 1955 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie. The couple made their home in Fort Ripley, MN.Howard worked for Brunswick Boats in Little Falls for a short time. He then went to work at Camp Ripley as a custodian (he was also known to sell sweet corn to Camp Ripley employees from the back of his pickup truck) for several years, retiring in 1994.Howard also farmed for several years and drove school bus #22 for the Little Falls School District for 21 years.Howard was a gentle spirit always putting others needs first. He never complained or asked for help or support. His gentle ways will be remembered by his family and friends.Among favorite memories of Howards family are rides on his beloved Ford tractor for his children and his sharing Tootsie Pops with his grandchildren.Howard enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing, gardening, mowing his lawn and camping at Fishin Mission Campground near Merrifield, MN. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie and the Little Falls American Legion Post #46.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife loving wife of 58 years, Juliann of Fort Ripley, MN; children, Sandy (Ed) Richmond of Fort Ripley, MN, Virgil (Deann) Doucette of Texas, Ricky Doucette of Brainerd, MN, Renee (Rick) Hogen of Jordan, MN, Rita (George) Andrews of Little Falls, MN, Kristie (Jack) Berendt of Fort Ripley, MN; grandchildren, Angie Schilling, Amy Sevre, Andrew Richmond, Nikki Sassen, Matthew Walsh, Amanda Wenner, Patrick Killeaney, Bob Killeaney, Josh Berendt, Jacob Berendt, Kylie Berendt and Brett Berendt, Keri Brame, Julie Doucette and Jordan Doucette, Ashley Hogen, Brianna Berendt, Georgie Andrews and 25 great-grandchildren; sister, Rosemary (Arlo) Adair and a brother, Gary Doucette both of Brainerd, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Frances Doucette; siblings, Virgil Doucette, Thomas Doucette and the family pet Sparky the dog.