Eric W. Howard, age 42, of Wykoff, MN, passed away June 21, 2021 after sustaining a head injury working on his family's farm.
Eric Wayne Howard was born February 28, 1979 in Spring Valley, MN to Terry and Diane (Holm) Howard.
Eric attended Spring Valley Public School until Spring Valley and Wykoff consolidated to become Kingsland Public School while he was in 8th grade. I
t was at this time he met his wife and soul mate, Chris Boland. They were married September 11, 1999.
Eric and Chris were blessed with 4 sons and Eric made the focus of his life demonstrating his love for his family through the time he spent with them.
He was involved in all of their activities. He worked side by side with them on the farm and in the repair shop, teaching them everything he knew.
His sons possess a strength of character, hard work, and desire to help others because of his guidance and love.
People will remember Eric as a softball and youth basketball coach, mechanic, farmer, mentor, teacher, and friend.
He was the one people called when they needed help, advice, or friendship. Eric embodied kindness and strength and his presence was a comfort to those around him.
Eric was a quiet man who pushed himself to live by example, always working harder, longer, and trying to do the most he could. Good was never good enough, he pushed himself to be exceptional. Even when God called him to finally rest, Eric had to "do a little more."
Eric donated his organs and tissues to give life to others. He lives on within them, as well as the many friends and family that he leaves behind.
Eric is survived by his wife, Chris Howard of Wykoff; sons Lucas, Seth, Cody, and Quin; parents Terry and Diane Howard; Brothers Scott (Kristina) of Spring Valley, MN, Matt (Megan) of Racine, MN and sister Rebecca (Kurt) Vanderploeg of Albert Lea, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Doris and Johnie Holm and Bernard and Anne Howard.
Memorials can be directed to the Faith United Methodist Church Kitchen Project to continue the work of his grandma, Anne Howard.
Funeral services for Eric will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley with Pastor Mark Woodward officiating. Burial will be held at Spring Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29 at Faith United Methodist Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.
Hindt Funeral Home.
A 42-year-old man who fell from a grain truck in southern Minnesota and suffered grave head injuries became a lifesaving organ donor thanks to his eldest son's swift response at the scene of the accident.
Eric W. Howard, of Wykoff, Minn., was in Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, on Wednesday for recovery of several vital organs, said his wife, Chris Howard.
"The neurologist said that we would probably never have been able to donate or spend a few more days saying goodbye to Eric if Lucas had not performed CPR," Eric's wife, Chris, said. (Photo/Getty Images)
Eric Howard fell some time before 9:40 a.m. Saturday from a semitrailer truck's ladder while loading corn north of Spring Valley, according to the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office.
Two of Howard's four sons, 19-year-old Luke and 14-year-old Seth, found their father after he fell, said his wife, Chris Howard.
"Seth went to the end of the driveway to meet the ambulance and show them where Eric was," she said Wednesday while waiting nearby as the organ recovery process was underway. "Luke stayed with Eric, and when he stopped breathing, [Luke] gave CPR.
"The neurologist said that we would probably never have been able to donate or spend a few more days saying goodbye to Eric if Lucas had not performed CPR."
Luke learned CPR in health class during 10th grade at Kingsland High School in Spring Valley.
"I think it is important people know that someday they could be in an emergency situation and can literally be the difference between life and death," Chris Howard said. "When he took that class, he never thought he'd use it. [CPR] didn't save Eric's life, but it saved other lives through his gifts."
The hospital flew an organ donation flag Wednesday just below the American flag in honor of Eric Howard.
"With any sort of injury, the sooner the better when it comes to CPR," said Alicia Miller, LifeSource's advanced practice donation coordinator in Minneapolis. "What is best for the patient is still best of the patient should they become a donor."
Depending on the nature of the injuries, doctors look to recover a donor's heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and intestines, Miller said.
From there, Miller added, eyes and dozens of soft tissues are also considered for donation. Up to 75 people can potentially benefit from a single donor.
Among the solid organs, the list of transplant hopefuls is by far longest for kidneys, she said. "They are always the most in demand. The other lists are also quite long. The need out there is great."
As of Wednesday, according to LifeSource, more than 107,000 people nationwide are awaiting an organ transplant, with the need for a kidney accounting for nearly 85% of that total. In Minnesota, there are more than 2,500 people on a transplant waiting list, with about 83% of the total needing a kidney.
Once a family signs off on organ recovery, the process typically takes about 24 to 48 hours, Miller said. Then the organs are delivered as quickly as possible to recipients most in need, whether the destination is in the same community or across the country.
"We will try to get the sickest patient transplanted first," she said.
From the hospital Wednesday afternoon, Chris Howard said, "One of the hardest parts of waiting [is] wondering if something would happen that would impact his ability to donate one of the organs. We couldn't help Eric, so we wanted to give as much help to as many people as we possibly could."
Rest In Peace Eric
Eric Wayne Howard was born February 28, 1979 in Spring Valley, MN to Terry and Diane (Holm) Howard.
Eric attended Spring Valley Public School until Spring Valley and Wykoff consolidated to become Kingsland Public School while he was in 8th grade. I
t was at this time he met his wife and soul mate, Chris Boland. They were married September 11, 1999.
Eric and Chris were blessed with 4 sons and Eric made the focus of his life demonstrating his love for his family through the time he spent with them.
He was involved in all of their activities. He worked side by side with them on the farm and in the repair shop, teaching them everything he knew.
His sons possess a strength of character, hard work, and desire to help others because of his guidance and love.
People will remember Eric as a softball and youth basketball coach, mechanic, farmer, mentor, teacher, and friend.
He was the one people called when they needed help, advice, or friendship. Eric embodied kindness and strength and his presence was a comfort to those around him.
Eric was a quiet man who pushed himself to live by example, always working harder, longer, and trying to do the most he could. Good was never good enough, he pushed himself to be exceptional. Even when God called him to finally rest, Eric had to "do a little more."
Eric donated his organs and tissues to give life to others. He lives on within them, as well as the many friends and family that he leaves behind.
Eric is survived by his wife, Chris Howard of Wykoff; sons Lucas, Seth, Cody, and Quin; parents Terry and Diane Howard; Brothers Scott (Kristina) of Spring Valley, MN, Matt (Megan) of Racine, MN and sister Rebecca (Kurt) Vanderploeg of Albert Lea, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Doris and Johnie Holm and Bernard and Anne Howard.
Memorials can be directed to the Faith United Methodist Church Kitchen Project to continue the work of his grandma, Anne Howard.
Funeral services for Eric will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley with Pastor Mark Woodward officiating. Burial will be held at Spring Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29 at Faith United Methodist Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.
Hindt Funeral Home.
A 42-year-old man who fell from a grain truck in southern Minnesota and suffered grave head injuries became a lifesaving organ donor thanks to his eldest son's swift response at the scene of the accident.
Eric W. Howard, of Wykoff, Minn., was in Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, on Wednesday for recovery of several vital organs, said his wife, Chris Howard.
"The neurologist said that we would probably never have been able to donate or spend a few more days saying goodbye to Eric if Lucas had not performed CPR," Eric's wife, Chris, said. (Photo/Getty Images)
Eric Howard fell some time before 9:40 a.m. Saturday from a semitrailer truck's ladder while loading corn north of Spring Valley, according to the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office.
Two of Howard's four sons, 19-year-old Luke and 14-year-old Seth, found their father after he fell, said his wife, Chris Howard.
"Seth went to the end of the driveway to meet the ambulance and show them where Eric was," she said Wednesday while waiting nearby as the organ recovery process was underway. "Luke stayed with Eric, and when he stopped breathing, [Luke] gave CPR.
"The neurologist said that we would probably never have been able to donate or spend a few more days saying goodbye to Eric if Lucas had not performed CPR."
Luke learned CPR in health class during 10th grade at Kingsland High School in Spring Valley.
"I think it is important people know that someday they could be in an emergency situation and can literally be the difference between life and death," Chris Howard said. "When he took that class, he never thought he'd use it. [CPR] didn't save Eric's life, but it saved other lives through his gifts."
The hospital flew an organ donation flag Wednesday just below the American flag in honor of Eric Howard.
"With any sort of injury, the sooner the better when it comes to CPR," said Alicia Miller, LifeSource's advanced practice donation coordinator in Minneapolis. "What is best for the patient is still best of the patient should they become a donor."
Depending on the nature of the injuries, doctors look to recover a donor's heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and intestines, Miller said.
From there, Miller added, eyes and dozens of soft tissues are also considered for donation. Up to 75 people can potentially benefit from a single donor.
Among the solid organs, the list of transplant hopefuls is by far longest for kidneys, she said. "They are always the most in demand. The other lists are also quite long. The need out there is great."
As of Wednesday, according to LifeSource, more than 107,000 people nationwide are awaiting an organ transplant, with the need for a kidney accounting for nearly 85% of that total. In Minnesota, there are more than 2,500 people on a transplant waiting list, with about 83% of the total needing a kidney.
Once a family signs off on organ recovery, the process typically takes about 24 to 48 hours, Miller said. Then the organs are delivered as quickly as possible to recipients most in need, whether the destination is in the same community or across the country.
"We will try to get the sickest patient transplanted first," she said.
From the hospital Wednesday afternoon, Chris Howard said, "One of the hardest parts of waiting [is] wondering if something would happen that would impact his ability to donate one of the organs. We couldn't help Eric, so we wanted to give as much help to as many people as we possibly could."
Rest In Peace Eric
Eric W. Howard, age 42, of Wykoff, MN, passed away June 21, 2021 after sustaining a head injury working on his family's farm.
Eric Wayne Howard was born February 28, 1979 in Spring Valley, MN to Terry and Diane (Holm) Howard.
Eric attended Spring Valley Public School until Spring Valley and Wykoff consolidated to become Kingsland Public School while he was in 8th grade. I
t was at this time he met his wife and soul mate, Chris Boland. They were married September 11, 1999.
Eric and Chris were blessed with 4 sons and Eric made the focus of his life demonstrating his love for his family through the time he spent with them.
He was involved in all of their activities. He worked side by side with them on the farm and in the repair shop, teaching them everything he knew.
His sons possess a strength of character, hard work, and desire to help others because of his guidance and love.
People will remember Eric as a softball and youth basketball coach, mechanic, farmer, mentor, teacher, and friend.
He was the one people called when they needed help, advice, or friendship. Eric embodied kindness and strength and his presence was a comfort to those around him.
Eric was a quiet man who pushed himself to live by example, always working harder, longer, and trying to do the most he could. Good was never good enough, he pushed himself to be exceptional. Even when God called him to finally rest, Eric had to "do a little more."
Eric donated his organs and tissues to give life to others. He lives on within them, as well as the many friends and family that he leaves behind.
Eric is survived by his wife, Chris Howard of Wykoff; sons Lucas, Seth, Cody, and Quin; parents Terry and Diane Howard; Brothers Scott (Kristina) of Spring Valley, MN, Matt (Megan) of Racine, MN and sister Rebecca (Kurt) Vanderploeg of Albert Lea, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Doris and Johnie Holm and Bernard and Anne Howard.
Memorials can be directed to the Faith United Methodist Church Kitchen Project to continue the work of his grandma, Anne Howard.
Funeral services for Eric will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley with Pastor Mark Woodward officiating. Burial will be held at Spring Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29 at Faith United Methodist Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.
Hindt Funeral Home.
A 42-year-old man who fell from a grain truck in southern Minnesota and suffered grave head injuries became a lifesaving organ donor thanks to his eldest son's swift response at the scene of the accident.
Eric W. Howard, of Wykoff, Minn., was in Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, on Wednesday for recovery of several vital organs, said his wife, Chris Howard.
"The neurologist said that we would probably never have been able to donate or spend a few more days saying goodbye to Eric if Lucas had not performed CPR," Eric's wife, Chris, said. (Photo/Getty Images)
Eric Howard fell some time before 9:40 a.m. Saturday from a semitrailer truck's ladder while loading corn north of Spring Valley, according to the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office.
Two of Howard's four sons, 19-year-old Luke and 14-year-old Seth, found their father after he fell, said his wife, Chris Howard.
"Seth went to the end of the driveway to meet the ambulance and show them where Eric was," she said Wednesday while waiting nearby as the organ recovery process was underway. "Luke stayed with Eric, and when he stopped breathing, [Luke] gave CPR.
"The neurologist said that we would probably never have been able to donate or spend a few more days saying goodbye to Eric if Lucas had not performed CPR."
Luke learned CPR in health class during 10th grade at Kingsland High School in Spring Valley.
"I think it is important people know that someday they could be in an emergency situation and can literally be the difference between life and death," Chris Howard said. "When he took that class, he never thought he'd use it. [CPR] didn't save Eric's life, but it saved other lives through his gifts."
The hospital flew an organ donation flag Wednesday just below the American flag in honor of Eric Howard.
"With any sort of injury, the sooner the better when it comes to CPR," said Alicia Miller, LifeSource's advanced practice donation coordinator in Minneapolis. "What is best for the patient is still best of the patient should they become a donor."
Depending on the nature of the injuries, doctors look to recover a donor's heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and intestines, Miller said.
From there, Miller added, eyes and dozens of soft tissues are also considered for donation. Up to 75 people can potentially benefit from a single donor.
Among the solid organs, the list of transplant hopefuls is by far longest for kidneys, she said. "They are always the most in demand. The other lists are also quite long. The need out there is great."
As of Wednesday, according to LifeSource, more than 107,000 people nationwide are awaiting an organ transplant, with the need for a kidney accounting for nearly 85% of that total. In Minnesota, there are more than 2,500 people on a transplant waiting list, with about 83% of the total needing a kidney.
Once a family signs off on organ recovery, the process typically takes about 24 to 48 hours, Miller said. Then the organs are delivered as quickly as possible to recipients most in need, whether the destination is in the same community or across the country.
"We will try to get the sickest patient transplanted first," she said.
From the hospital Wednesday afternoon, Chris Howard said, "One of the hardest parts of waiting [is] wondering if something would happen that would impact his ability to donate one of the organs. We couldn't help Eric, so we wanted to give as much help to as many people as we possibly could."
Rest In Peace Eric
Eric Wayne Howard was born February 28, 1979 in Spring Valley, MN to Terry and Diane (Holm) Howard.
Eric attended Spring Valley Public School until Spring Valley and Wykoff consolidated to become Kingsland Public School while he was in 8th grade. I
t was at this time he met his wife and soul mate, Chris Boland. They were married September 11, 1999.
Eric and Chris were blessed with 4 sons and Eric made the focus of his life demonstrating his love for his family through the time he spent with them.
He was involved in all of their activities. He worked side by side with them on the farm and in the repair shop, teaching them everything he knew.
His sons possess a strength of character, hard work, and desire to help others because of his guidance and love.
People will remember Eric as a softball and youth basketball coach, mechanic, farmer, mentor, teacher, and friend.
He was the one people called when they needed help, advice, or friendship. Eric embodied kindness and strength and his presence was a comfort to those around him.
Eric was a quiet man who pushed himself to live by example, always working harder, longer, and trying to do the most he could. Good was never good enough, he pushed himself to be exceptional. Even when God called him to finally rest, Eric had to "do a little more."
Eric donated his organs and tissues to give life to others. He lives on within them, as well as the many friends and family that he leaves behind.
Eric is survived by his wife, Chris Howard of Wykoff; sons Lucas, Seth, Cody, and Quin; parents Terry and Diane Howard; Brothers Scott (Kristina) of Spring Valley, MN, Matt (Megan) of Racine, MN and sister Rebecca (Kurt) Vanderploeg of Albert Lea, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Doris and Johnie Holm and Bernard and Anne Howard.
Memorials can be directed to the Faith United Methodist Church Kitchen Project to continue the work of his grandma, Anne Howard.
Funeral services for Eric will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley with Pastor Mark Woodward officiating. Burial will be held at Spring Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29 at Faith United Methodist Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.
Hindt Funeral Home.
A 42-year-old man who fell from a grain truck in southern Minnesota and suffered grave head injuries became a lifesaving organ donor thanks to his eldest son's swift response at the scene of the accident.
Eric W. Howard, of Wykoff, Minn., was in Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, on Wednesday for recovery of several vital organs, said his wife, Chris Howard.
"The neurologist said that we would probably never have been able to donate or spend a few more days saying goodbye to Eric if Lucas had not performed CPR," Eric's wife, Chris, said. (Photo/Getty Images)
Eric Howard fell some time before 9:40 a.m. Saturday from a semitrailer truck's ladder while loading corn north of Spring Valley, according to the Fillmore County Sheriff's Office.
Two of Howard's four sons, 19-year-old Luke and 14-year-old Seth, found their father after he fell, said his wife, Chris Howard.
"Seth went to the end of the driveway to meet the ambulance and show them where Eric was," she said Wednesday while waiting nearby as the organ recovery process was underway. "Luke stayed with Eric, and when he stopped breathing, [Luke] gave CPR.
"The neurologist said that we would probably never have been able to donate or spend a few more days saying goodbye to Eric if Lucas had not performed CPR."
Luke learned CPR in health class during 10th grade at Kingsland High School in Spring Valley.
"I think it is important people know that someday they could be in an emergency situation and can literally be the difference between life and death," Chris Howard said. "When he took that class, he never thought he'd use it. [CPR] didn't save Eric's life, but it saved other lives through his gifts."
The hospital flew an organ donation flag Wednesday just below the American flag in honor of Eric Howard.
"With any sort of injury, the sooner the better when it comes to CPR," said Alicia Miller, LifeSource's advanced practice donation coordinator in Minneapolis. "What is best for the patient is still best of the patient should they become a donor."
Depending on the nature of the injuries, doctors look to recover a donor's heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and intestines, Miller said.
From there, Miller added, eyes and dozens of soft tissues are also considered for donation. Up to 75 people can potentially benefit from a single donor.
Among the solid organs, the list of transplant hopefuls is by far longest for kidneys, she said. "They are always the most in demand. The other lists are also quite long. The need out there is great."
As of Wednesday, according to LifeSource, more than 107,000 people nationwide are awaiting an organ transplant, with the need for a kidney accounting for nearly 85% of that total. In Minnesota, there are more than 2,500 people on a transplant waiting list, with about 83% of the total needing a kidney.
Once a family signs off on organ recovery, the process typically takes about 24 to 48 hours, Miller said. Then the organs are delivered as quickly as possible to recipients most in need, whether the destination is in the same community or across the country.
"We will try to get the sickest patient transplanted first," she said.
From the hospital Wednesday afternoon, Chris Howard said, "One of the hardest parts of waiting [is] wondering if something would happen that would impact his ability to donate one of the organs. We couldn't help Eric, so we wanted to give as much help to as many people as we possibly could."
Rest In Peace Eric
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