Howard Solie

Howard Solie (1941 – 2024)

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Howard Solie, who passed away on Saturday Feb. 17 surrounded by his family. Howard was born Feb. 25, 1941, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, to Hans and Ingrid Solie, and he and his brother Ivor grew up on the family farm near Richmound, Saskatchewan. Howard's love of fishing and the outdoors developed during the many family fishing trips to Elkwater.         

Howard graduated from Richmound School in 1959. He continued his education at the School of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan, and he and Ivor took over the farm after Hans’ death in 1961. Howard earned his diploma of mechanical engineering at Saskatchewan Technical Institute in Moose Jaw in 1963. He worked for the Government of Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture's AMA program testing farm machinery until the program was discontinued, then took up a position at STI teaching drafting and surveying. He and Hilda Lingnau were married in Delisle in 1965, and Karen was born in Moose Jaw in 1966. The mechanical engineering program was moved to Saskatoon in 1968 as part of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, and Dianne was born in Saskatoon in 1969. During these years, Howard continued to farm, moving the family to Horsham for the summer months. Craig was born in Saskatoon in 1974, and Howard left his position for the late harvest of a bumper crop in the fall of that year. He soon obtained a teaching position at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture, and worked there until the spring of 1975. The Solies moved into their new house on the farm in the fall of 1975, on the yard with Ingrid and Ivor, and it's been home ever since. 

The family enjoyed camping and fishing trips in the summer, and skiing in the winter. Howard loved hunting, curling, coaching, and attending his children's and grandchildren's many sporting and music events, and was a dedicated Richmound Rockets fan. He was a member of the Richmound School Board and served on the Richmound Credit Union Board of Directors. Howard was an avid reader and life-long learner, and an enthusiastic supporter of Craig's various musical endeavors. There were always projects underway in the farm shop, and Howard believed there wasn’t anything that couldn't be fixed, and no problem that couldn't be solved. Lunches in the field and evenings around the firepit in the yard were happy additions to a busy workday, and trips to the cabin at Duncairn Dam eagerly anticipated. Howard continued actively farming in partnership with Craig until the time of his passing. It was what he loved and where he loved to be. 

Howard was predeceased by his parents, Hans and Ingrid, his brother Ivor, his mother and father-in-law Johanna and Aloysius Lingnau, his brother and sister-in-law Siegfried and Cathy Lingnau, and his brother-in-law Mervyn McDonald. He is survived by his wife Hilda, sister-in-law Christel McDonald, daughter Karen, daughter and son-in-law Dianne and Mike Brodie, son Craig and daughter-in-law Freya Brehaut, and grandchildren Alison Brodie (Dylan Hinshaw), Jordan Brodie (Patti Jones), Inga and Erik Solie, and his nieces and nephews and their families. Howard's family will go forward with profound gratitude for his example, his integrity and love of life, and for the many joyful memories made. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to your local food bank. 

A celebration of Howard’s life will be held in the Richmound Community Hall on Friday, March 1, beginning at 2 p.m. Saskatchewan time.

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