W. TUPPER HOWDEN

TUPPER HOWDEN William Tupper Howden, age 94, died Wednesday, June 13 at the Cooperstown Medical Center. Tupper was born March 25, 1918 in St Paul, MN to Agnes Everson and Richard J. Howden. As a child he lived near Sutton and attended country grade school. When his parents lost their farm due to the Depression they moved to Cooperstown, ND where his father was Griggs County Auditor. Tupper graduated from Cooperstown High School in 1934. He attended NDSU School of Pharmacy while working several jobs, including clearing tables at the club where Peggy Lee was singing. He graduated in 1940. While a student he earned several academic honors and was named Outstanding Senior. He was a member of Rho Chi National Pharmacy Honor Society and Kappa Psi pharmacy fraternity. He married Margaret Knauss of Hannaford, ND on June 14, 1940 in Cooperstown. They purchased Cooperstown Rexall Drug where Tupper had worked as a soda jerk in his teenage years. From 1945-1946 he served as a hospital corpsman in the US Navy. Tupper and Margaret enlarged the store and owned and operated Howden’s Rexall Drug and Department Store until 1972. After his retirement he did relief work in Mesa, AZ and in several ND drug stores. Tupper was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Cooperstown Country Club, Cooperstown Commercial Club, Masonic Lodge, Shriners and a life-time member of the American Legion. He was one of the founders of the Griggs County Hospital and served 20 years on the board of directors. He also served as a City Councilman for several terms. He belonged to the volunteer fire department. In 1990 the ND Board of Pharmacy awarded him with lifetime membership. Tupper had a great love of music. In the Cooperstown community he was known for singing How Great Thou Art. He belonged to many choirs and to a men’s quartet. He continued his singing in Mesa, AZ where he sang O Holy Night at the annual Christmas program for 30 years. He was an avid fisherman and participated in league bowling and golf until age until age 87. He was quite proud of his Hole-In-One at age 80. Tupper and Margaret enjoyed their retirement years. They lived in Mesa during the winters and at Red Willow Lake, ND in the summertime. Their favorite trip was a visit to Hawaii. His grand-kids remember that he read the Forum newspaper religiously and in later years carried it with him everywhere he went. Tupper is survived by his children Diane (Dennis) Larson, Detroit Lakes, MN; Dick (Connie) Howden, South Jordan, Utah; Jeane Marschke, Alexandria, MN; Bill Howden, Mayville, ND; daughter-in-law Jody Collins; son-in-law, Jerome Marschke and grandchildren Lori (John) Grommesh, Casselton; Greg (Shelby) Larson, Castle Rock, CO; Sue (Eric) Selle, Littleton, CO; Ross (Annie) Howden, South Jordan, UT; Craig (Christina) Howden, Prescott Valley, AZ; Jay (Kathy) Marschke, Houston, TX; Steve (Debbie) Marschke, Torrance, CA; Robyn Marschke, Colorado Springs, CO; Ryan (Hilary) Marschke, Maple Grove, MN; and William (Jessica) Howden, Blaine, MN. He is also survived by 13 great-grandsons, 7 great-grand daughters, his sister Jean Evans, El Paso, TX, his sister-in-law Elizabeth Lyngby, Grand Forks, ND and cousin Jim (Connie) Howden, Oconomowoc, WI. He was preceded in death by Margaret his wife of nearly 59 years and two infant grandchildren. Memorial Service: Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 1:30 pm, at First Presbyterian Church, Cooperstown, ND.