Howard
F. Hand
Services
will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 1515 S.
Harrison, in Grand Island. The Rev. William Pavuk will officiate.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at All Faiths Funeral Home. Cremation
will take place following the service.
Mr. Hand was born June 10, 1922, at Prineville, Ore., to Charles Oscar and Louise
(Brooks) Hand.
Survivors of the immediate family include his wife, Lucille; a son and daughter-in-law,
Craig C. and Rita Hand of Grand Island; and a daughter, Lana K. Ohlsen of West
Des Moines, Iowa.
Other survivors include three grandchildren, Kristin R. (Hand) Watson and husband,
Paul, Ryan C. Hand and wife, Teri, and Katie A. (Ohlsen) Avise and husband, Christopher;
and one great-granddaughter, Grace Renae Watson.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Richard W. Hand; and a son-in-law, Steven
E. Ohlsen.
At an early age, Howard moved with his family to northern Idaho, where they were
engaged in the logging and lumber milling business.
He married Lucille K. Rehder of Grand Island on Aug. 7, 1943. They celebrated
64 years together.
Howard enlisted in the Army Air Corps on Jan. 16, 1942, and was honorably discharged
Feb. 14, 1946. He served in North Africa and the European Theatre. He served
an additional three years in the Air Corps Reserves.
After he completed his education in horology, he and his wife established Howard's
Jewelry in downtown Grand Island, continuing the business until his retirement
in 1984.
Howard was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Ashlar Lodge No. 33 A.F. & A.M.,
past commander of Mt. Lebanon Commandery No. 6 Knights Templar and served three
years as secretary of Seedling Mile School Board, District No. 74.
He was instrumental in organizing Northwest High School and was master of ceremonies
at the groundbreaking on June 16, 1963.
He was affiliated with the Liederkranz Society, Platt-Duetsche, American Legion
Post No. 53, Grand Island Saddle Club and the Nebraska and National Retail Jewelers
Associations.
After his retirement, he enjoyed time with his grandchildren, metal detecting,
card playing, cooking, baking, and compiling his book of "Humor and Reflections" and
being a volunteer at Jefferson Elementary School.
Memorials are suggested to the Howard Hand Scholarship Fund through the Grand
Foundation (Grand Theatre), Tabitha Home Care and Hospice or St. Pauls Church
Kitchen Fund.