Howard Dwaine Stoddard

Howard Dwaine Stoddard, 91, of Plankinton, SD and Denver, CO passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020 at his home in Plankinton. Graveside Serves with Military Honors will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Mizpah Cemetery, Plankinton. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at the United Methodist Church in Plankinton with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service. Howard Stoddard was born on September 18, 1929 to Allen and Fern (Sapp) Stoddard. He was the oldest of 4 children. Howard grew up on the farm northeast of Plankinton. He attended Stoddard School for grades 1 through 8 and then attended Plankinton High School, proudly graduating in the Class of 1947. While in high school he excelled in Academics and Sports with Football being his favorite. Following high school, he attended the University of Minnesota and graduated from the University of South Dakota, lettering in football all four years of college. During his 2 years in the Army, he played semi-pro football. After he got out of the Army he moved to Denver, CO. He began working as a dance instructor for Arthur Murray studio. Howard established a career in the Health Club Business in Denver. He retired from this business at the age of 81. In his later years and into retirement, Howard provided a Bed & Breakfast and Hunting experience for pheasant hunters on his farm in South Dakota which was the farm where he was raised. Howard was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years, serving as Worthy Grand Patron of Colorado in 1981-82. He also served in the General Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star as a Committee member serving for three years on the Youth Committee. For over 60 years, Howard was a member of the Masonic Order maintaining his membership in the Plankinton Masonic Lodge. Even though he was not a fulltime resident of Plankinton, he was very involved in many aspects of the Plankinton Community. His support of Plankinton High School never wavered and every year would attend the annual Plankinton High School Alumni celebration where he became one of the 1st inductees into the Plankinton Alumni Association Hall of Fame. He also provided 20 years of service and support as President of the Alumni Scholarship Fund. As a member of the Historical Preservation Society, Howard supported the Aurora County Historical Museum recently donating a most unique cast iron kettle from his farm. He was also instrumental in saving the Sweep/Van Dyke Hotel. He was an avid contributor and supporter to this project where today many Community Events are held that include community and historical perspective activities. He was in the process of providing support to convert one of the hotel rooms into a remembrance of the Stoddard School. Howard’s interests were varied. One of the interests that was a part of his entire life was his love of cars, especially his Lincolns. From the first car that his dad ever bought him to his beloved convertibles, the pride in his memories of these cars would shine through in his stories. The recent completion of the renovation of his 1967 Lincoln convertible was a source of bragging rights as he proudly displayed the car and shared the stories. Howard’s love of music found him singing as a soloist at a variety of events, including singing in many churches in Denver and South Dakota. This love of music was also seen in his love of dancing. While a young man in Denver, he became a member of the Supper Club where he enjoyed dancing and socializing with these friends throughout his life. He established many lifelong friends through his Supper Club connections. Howard also loved to share stories and memories with his friends and family. He never met anyone he couldn’t strike up a conversation with. Howard’s laugh was infectious and he touched many lives through his laughter and his love for life. As a lifelong farm boy, Howard was proud to revive the “home place” as it was called Northeast of Plankinton where his grandparents lived while raising their children. He was so pleased that he was still able to ride the riding lawnmower in his 91st year to groom approximately 5 acres of the place with the result of establishing a “park like” setting. Howard married the love of his life, Ione Bramberg. This union was blessed with 2 daughters, Andrea and Deanna. As his daughters were growing up, he never missed any of their activities which included extensive travels throughout their volleyball careers. He was raising pigs on the farm in SD when his girls were in school and playing sports in Denver. He often drove all night to make sure he never missed these activities. He was a tremendous cheerleader with homemade signs to be displayed at the games (often to the embarrassment of his daughters but out of total and absolute love for them.) He always cheered the loudest and always got Everyone involved in the cheerleading. Grateful for sharing in Howard’s life are: his wife, Ione and his daughters, Andrea and Deanna of Denver; nephews: Jack (Becki) Stoddard, Randy Stoddard, Rick Mathis, Greg (Carolyn) Mathis, Dean Bramberg and nieces: Peggy Stoddard, and Allison (Tom) Shrader; along with several great nieces and great nephews, dear cousins, and many, many close friends…whom he loved very much. He was preceded in death by: his parents; his in-laws, Ragnar & Martha Bramberg; Brother, Albert Stoddard and his wife, Carol; Sister, Marilyn Mathis and her husband, Wilbur Mathis along with Wilbur’s 2nd wife, Ruth Mathis; Brother, Boyd Allen Stoddard; Brother-in-law, Conrad Bramberg; nephews: Denny Stoddard and Steve Mathis; and niece, Connie Jo Mathis. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Howard’s honor may be directed to: United Methodist Church Parking Lot Fund, 210 East Road, Plankinton, SD 57368 or the Sweep – Van Dyke Hotel Project, Plankinton Preservation Society, Inc., PO Box 367, Plankinton, SD 57368.