Nicholas Albert Howe was born on March 3, 1963, to Delbert and Gladys (Lovell) Howe in Lincoln, NE. He was raised in rural Barnes County by Gladys and Donald (Boots) Sortland. He attended school at Litchville Public School.
Nick joined the National Guard before his senior year and graduated from high school in May 1981. On May 28, 1983, he married Lori Keeler and transferred to active duty with the U.S. Army. They moved to Colorado Springs, CO, where he was stationed at Fort Carson. Nick served as an Army Specialist 4 with the 52nd Engineer Battalion. Both his daughter, Sarah Howe, and his son, Nicholas Howe II, were born in Colorado.
In 1995, Nick moved to the Seattle, WA, area and worked at BF Goodrich as a flight control mechanic and an avionics technician. He was a talented man who excelled in mechanics, autobody work, electrical, plumbing, and remodeling—you could say he was a jack of all trades. An unusual fact about Nick is that he was an extra in the movie Outbreak while in California for a short time.
In 1996, Nick moved back to his home area of Valley City, ND, where he ran a drywall and painting business with his sister, Lori. In 1997, he fathered another son, Christopher Howe. A few years later, he lived in Fargo, ND, and enjoyed working at MAC’s Hardware. In 2010, he fathered another daughter, Katie Vrem.
Nick passed away at the Fargo Veterans Administration Hospital on February 5, 2025, under hospice care. He bravely battled a debilitating lung disease (ILD) and was surrounded by his loving family, including his daughter Sarah and her mother, Lori Stone. Nick had a very close relationship with his sister, Lori, who, along with a special friend, Lisa Miller, was by his side when he passed.
Nicholas Albert Howe received a Final Salute Ceremony (Honor Walk) from the staff at the VA Hospital.
Nick is survived by his children and grandchildren:
- Daughter Sarah Howe and her two children, Elizabeth and Kyler (Valley City)
- Son Nicholas Howe II (Fargo) and his children, Adrianna, Aaron, Zoey, and Natalia
- Son Christopher Howe
- Daughter Katie Vrem (Fargo)
He is also survived by his siblings:
- Mike (June) Howe
- Pat (Bonnie) Howe
- Don (Tracy) Sortland
- Lori (Jim) Frahm
- Sisy (Dave) Opdahl
Nick was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert Howe, and Boots and Gladys Sortland.
We will miss Nick for his laugh and his special sense of humor.
A funeral will be held on February 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Elim Evangelical Free Church, 1141 9th St. SW, Valley City, ND. Pastor Nick Scotten will preside.