Howard Oscar Pike, age 64, of St. Francis passed away Sunday, January 6, 2008 at his home after a 6 year battle with cancer.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, January 10th at Oak Haven Church in Ham Lake. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church and also from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 9th at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel. Interment will be in Cedar Cemetery.
Howard Oscar Pike was born January 25, 1943 at Minneapolis, Minnesota to John and Grace Pike. He was raised in Bethel and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1961. On July 20, 1974 Howard married Myrna Dahlgren in New Brighton. They made their home in Cedar until 2005 when they moved to St. Francis. Howard belonged to the police reserve in Columbia Heights from 1973-1977. During the same time period he also was a gun safety trainer. Howard enjoyed farming, raising cattle and giving people a hard time.
Howard will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Myrna; daughter, Kim (Gene) Ablard of Princeton; two step-sons, Brian (Patti) Otto of Bethel, Bruce (Barb) Otto of Minneapolis; brother, William Pike of Stanchfield; six grandchildren, Katie, Miranda (Brad), Tanya (Kevin), Kevin, Matthew, and Hannah; two great-grandchildren, Autumn and Jessalyn; and by many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by an infant son.