Rochelle Ruth Howard, 65, of rural Sawyer, ND died Thursday, July 18, 2019 at the Vibra Healthcare Hospital in Mandan, ND.

Rochelle was born at Minot, ND October 12, 1953 to Arthur and Mabel (Klimpel) Riley. She was raised on the family farm, south of Sawyer, ND. She was educated in Sawyer and graduated from Sawyer High School in 1971. She attended Minot State University for two years. While in high school she was active in 4-H and she traveled to Chicago and Washington, DC to further their cause and projects of 4-H.

Rochelle enjoyed the outdoors on the farm and spent the majority of her time tending to the animals and being the "right hand" to her father caring for the cows, sheep, and chickens. Gardening was something that may have been necessary, but not her favorite pastime.

Rochelle was united in marriage to Joel Howard on June 29, 1973. To this union two children were born. Together they celebrated 46 years. The couple first made their home in Minot for a short time before moving to Washburn, ND where they lived for twelve years. In 1985 they purchased the Klimpel Homestead, where she had been raised and this has been home these many years. After the children were older she worked as the school cook at Sawyer, besides feeding the students, she passed on life lessons to the students, which earned her lifelong friends as the students aged; they respected her! She worked at ING Call Center for 8 years and most recently, Rochelle devoted her care and love to all the children who attended the daycare at Our Savior Lutheran Church, named Little Hands Loving Hearts. Here she spent seven years.

Rochelle enjoyed a good game of cards, especially whist and pinochle. This was easy entertainment for all of their family get-togethers and she usually won!

Rochelle battled her illness since August 2018 and was hospitalized these many months in Minot before being moved to Vibra Hospital in Mandan. Her family was with her when she died.

Rochelle's loving family includes her husband, Joel; 2 children: son, Jason (Teri) Howard, of East Grand Forks, MN, and daughter, Janine (Mike) Rice, of Riverside, CA and their children, Riley, Cedric, Seth and Grace, two brothers; Archie (Patty) Riley, and Larry (Ivy) Riley all of Moses Lake, WA.

Rochelle was preceded in death by her parents and many aunts and uncles.

Funeral Services for Rochelle Howard: Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in the Our Savior Lutheran Church- Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday, July 24, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home.
Interment: Willis Township Cemetery- rural Sawyer, ND.
Memorials: Willis Township Cemetery fund or to the donor's choice.

Rochelle Howard Flowers