Howard A. Stewart, 87, of Wilton, ND, died Tuesday, September 1, 2026, in the presence of loving family. Funeral service will be held at Mission Evangelical Free Church, Wilton, ND on Monday, September 7, 2026, at 1:00PM. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Wilton, ND.

Howard was born November 15, 1938, to John and Ella (Lueck), in Denbeigh, North Dakota.

He worked for Western Electric for 20 years but dreamed of being a full-time farmer. He bought a small farm in Wilton and eventually built this into a dairy. He was meticulous in caring for his farm and animals, eventually building his Grade A dairy into a top producing herd.

After his years in dairy farming, Howard worked as an insurance agent with Nodak Farm Bureau, where he remained for 20 years. He developed relationships with his customers, valued their trust and took serious responsibility to help protect their families, farms, and livelihoods.

Howard was very proud of his children and their accomplishments. He was always willing to help whether that be with words of wisdom, assisting with house projects or caring for grandchildren with Lenor. He loved to travel and took many trips with his wife and family.

At the center of Howard’s life was his faith in God. He was a dedicated Christian and a longtime member of the Evangelical Free Church in Wilton. His church family and the friendships he formed were very important to him. He gave his time and abilities to help create a place where people could gather to worship and where future generations could grow in their faith.

Howard was married to Lenor Grantham, who died in 2007. During the final years of her life, Howard cared for her lovingly and faithfully, remaining by her side when she needed him most. Howard later married Joyce, who survives him and shared with him the later chapter of his life.

Howard is survived by his wife, Joyce; his children, Russell Stewart, Debra Middleton (Dana), and Vicki Berg; his grandchildren, Elisabeth Giles (Robert), Christopher Barber (Natasha), Erin Reidman (Tanner), Meghan Langley (Michael), Rev. Chad Berg, and Brayden Berg (Jaime), Stephanie Osborne; and his great-grandchildren, Harvey and Hewitt Reidman, Emma and Annie Barber. Scarlett, Coralie, Vaeda and Leland Langley, sisters, Clarene Pottenger and Donna Grindberg, sister-in-law Sheila (Harold) Clark and brother-in-law Butch (Brenda) Sammons, LaDonna Kelly.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lenor, grandchildren Matthew Berg and Abbey Berg Han, brother John, stepson Rocky Osborne.

Howard understood the value of hard work, keeping one’s word, caring for what had been entrusted to you, and helping others when there was work to be done. From the family he loved the farm he built to the customers and the church he faithfully served, Howard left his mark through a lifetime of steady commitment.

Those who knew Howard will remember a hardworking and conscientious man who loved to laugh and visit. He loved his family, was willing to help others, treasured his church and friends, and above all, loved God.

His family takes comfort in the promise expressed in Howard’s favorite verse, John 3:16—that through faith in Christ, death is not the end, but the beginning of everlasting life.