Howard Ireland

Howard Ireland, age 80, of Belvidere, South Dakota, died on Monday, November 25, 2024 at Monument Health in Rapid City.

Memorial visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka.

Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2024 at the Kadoka City Auditorium with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Private family interment will be held at a later date.

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, Howie Ireland, passed away unexpectedly on Monday November 25, 2024 at Monument Health in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Howard “Howie” Louis Ireland was born September 15, 1944 to Forrest “Shorty” and Betty (Mansfield) Ireland in Gordon, Nebraska. The family lived in Gordon, Nebraska until they moved to a farm in the Martin, South Dakota area in 1946. The family then moved to Washabaugh County in 1949.

Howie attended Buffalo Country School through the 8th grade. He attended and graduated from Belvidere High School in 1962. He met the love of his life, Catherine “Cathy” Strickland, while attending college in Brookings, South Dakota. They were united in marriage on August 22, 1964 in Hot Springs, South Dakota. After their wedding they lived and raised their five children on a ranch south of Belvidere until they moved into Belvidere in 1983.

Howie worked as a rancher, mechanic and jack-of-all-trades, with his most recent being rural mail route carrier. Howie was an active member on the Belvidere Town Council, a member of the Mount Mariah Masonic Lodge #155, where he received his 50 year pin in July of 2021, and a member of the Shriners. He ran the local 4-H Club for five years. Howie was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed it. Over the years, he has helped numerous motorists that broke down along the interstate get back up and running. He enjoyed working with leather and making custom saddles in his spare time.

Howie is survived by his loving wife Cathy and five children: Ramona (Ron) Sandaker, Troy Ireland, Richard (Barb) Ireland, Sloan (Ed) Joens, and Ray (Carol) Ireland; brothers Jerry (Pam) Ireland and Hal (Edie) Ireland; sister Connie (Sieg) Holso; 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Ronnie and Kenny, and one granddaughter Briana.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 216 Belvidere, SD 57521.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established at BankWest in Kadoka.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Kadoka.