First Rate Care

Howard Wesley Steinmetz (Scoop)

Howard Wesley Steinmetz (Scoop) was born June 16, 1939 at the old hospital on Main Street in Mahnomen. I grew up on my parent's farm west of Mahnomen with my 7 siblings and me being the oldest of 8. I went to Country School 2 ½ miles from home, near Faith. When in high school, I played football, ran track, and did some boxing in 10th and 11th grade, all in Mahnomen. I met the love of my life when I was a senior, her name was Naomi Brown who moved to Mahnomen with her family from Barnsville. We got married June 6, 1959 and bought a farm and milked cows near Mahnomen. Only married 3 months and were 20 years old. I lost my right arm in a corn chopper accident. It was tough going but had to learn how to manage life in a different way, but still enjoyed farming, racing, snowmobiles, cutting wood, and had many teams of horses, with wagons, sleighs, and even covered wagons. Participated in many parades for many years.

Later on, I started custom hauling, cattle, hay, straw, farm equipment, and was extremely proud of my 2003 one ton dually used for hauling that has 665,000 miles on it and is still running today. In May 2010, I suffered a massive stroke which lead to losing my license and was ale to improve with lots of therapy, but managed to retake driving test to get license back so I could do what (I loved to do) continue custom hauling till health started to turn. I entered Erskine Nursing Home September 2018 until March 2020 moved to Fair Meadow in Fertile after my beloved wife of 60 years was killed on Christmas Day 2019 in a terrible car accident. Oh, how I miss her so, so much.

Its been a really tough year, COVID took a toll on lots of things and the days and nights get to be so long. Hopefully, all that is behind us, at least I can get out and walk and go for visits and rides. At Fair Meadow, I enjoy going for van rides, playing cards, walking, and exercising. It's a very nice place to be.

Scoop has 5 children: Jimmy ( Sue) Steinmetz of Mahnomen, Becky (Scott) Hall of Fertile, Holly (Brad) of Erhard, Tammy (Efram) of Greenbush, and Danny (Andrea) of Detroit Lakes He has 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, which he loves so very much and are the twinkle in his eyes.