Howard Eugene Kantack

About Howard

Howard Eugene Kantack, 81, formerly of Mapleton and Good Thunder, MN, and currently of Bemidji, MN, died unexpectedly, but peacefully, surrounded by family on February 8, 2024, in Fargo, ND.

Howard was born December 30, 1942, to Ben and Vera (Coale) Kantack. He graduated from Mapleton High School in 1960. He married Sandra Sohre on June 3, 1966. He opened his own automotive shop, Howard’s Repair, in Good Thunder, MN, in 1967.

In 1977, Howard, Sandra, and their two children moved to Bemidji, MN, to live by the lake. He worked at General Trading and Bemidji Auto Parts until starting Howard’s Engine and Machine in 1995. Many race cars and classic cars contain an engine that Howard built. He never retired from his love of machining, finishing his last big car motor in May 2023.

Howard played the snare drum in the Mapleton Camp Mor Kilties Pipe Band. In 2015, he taught himself how to read music and play the bagpipes. He also enjoyed competing in truck pulls and going to car shows with his 1929 Model A hot rod that he designed and constructed. He enjoyed the outdoors and watching beautiful sunsets.

Howard was a precise man. He was skilled in numerous areas: automotive, construction, welding, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, gardening, and cooking.

Howard lived with many health challenges. Chronic back pain plagued him for 22 years but did not dampen his faith in Jesus or work ethic. Howard valued church services, attending in person or online when pain did not allow him to leave home. He also served as an usher and elder. Prayer and reading the Bible were top priorities in his life.

Howard is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sandra (Sohre) Kantack, Bemidji, MN, son, Kenneth (Shannon) Kantack of Glencoe, MN, daughter, Kari (Ekren) Kantack Miller of Bemidji, MN, granddaughters, Mikayla (Kasjen) Petersen and Mackenzie Kantack, grandson, Connor Kantack, and special friend, Paul Mosbeck of Red Lake Falls, MN.

Preceding him in death are his parents, sisters, Maywin Ilo Rafferty and Arlis (Curtis) Wallace, brother, Edgar Kantack, nieces, Carmen Dalluge and Linda Kunz, great niece, Kari Rasmussen, and father and mother-in-law, LeRoy and Arladene Sohre.

Howard will be dearly missed for his automotive advice, mechanical engineering mind, creativity, and perseverance to keep on going despite his earthly pain.

memorial service

Memorial Services for Howard

February 26, 2024

The Evangelical Covenant Church 5405 Hart Ln NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 25, 2024, at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Bemidji, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home