John Howard Geiwitz

John Howard Geiwitz was born on May 11, 1926 to John Gustav and Minnie Elizabeth (Brattland) Geiwitz and died of complications from bone cancer on Wednesday, March 19, at the Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall with Freida, his loving wife of almost sixty years, by his side. He was 81. With the exception of two years during World War II, he lived his entire life in Minneota. He was baptized and confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church, and graduated from Minneota High School. John Howard proudly served his country during World War II. Upon his return to Minneota, he resumed his position in the family business, Geiwitz & Co. Freida Howell and he were married on August 15, 1948 at the First Presbyterian Church in Fargo, ND. They had two children. John Howard was the president of Geiwitz & Co. which was founded in 1898 and served Minneota and the surrounding area for almost 80 years. The company organized John Deere Days and the community always enjoyed the festivities. John Howard retired from Geiwitz & Co. in 1977 and became a farm manager and gentleman farmer, something he enjoyed immensely. John Howard was a man of intellect and integrity which was demonstrated by his extensive and varied service to the community. He served as president of Hope Lutheran Church. He was a member of the VFW, Masons, Minneota Businessman’s Association, and a Rotarian. He served on the Planning and Building Committee for the town swimming pool. He was a leader during the construction of the Countryside Golf Club and served as its first president. He acted as scoutmaster, Justice of the Peace, and council member. He served as Village Clerk Administrator for eleven years. He was particularly proud that during this period the streets were paved and the dike that protects Minneota was built. John Howard received the Meritorious Service Award from American Legion Post 199 where he was a member for 60 years and was a commander. In 2002 John Howard and Freida received the Rotary Community Service Award. John Howard had many interests. He was an avid reader and enjoyed science fiction. Minneota has a library primarily due to the hard work and generosity of Freida and John Howard. He was fascinated by genealogy and he traced his granddaughters’ roots back to the Mayflower. He liked to travel and especially loved Portugal. He received special joy spending yearly vacations with his family at his cabin on Lake Cochrane. There he spent his days taking his granddaughters water skiing, tubing and playing nightly games of Uno. Surviving John Howard are; his wife Freida, Fraser and Jean Geiwitz of Medway, MA; Gretchen and Douglas Tweet of Olympia, WA; three grandchildren: Anne and Sarah Geiwitz and Natalie Tweet; two sisters, Betsey and her husband Ray Miklethun, and Minnie Beaverson, all of Norcross, GA; special niece and nephew Mary Jo And Mark Heieren of Apple Valley, MN and many other nieces and nephews. John Howard was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers; George, Wendell and Robert.