Howard Frank Kaupp

With sadness we write to inform you that Howard Kaupp passed away on March 25, 2019, in his sleep at the Taber Hospital at the age of 87. 

Howard, an only son, was very close to his sister Noreen who passed away in 1993.  Dad has remained close to Noreen’s daughter Lorie and son Kelly. Over the years, Kelly has made regular visits and hunting trips to the Kaupp farm. Howard was also very close to his parents Mary and Raymond Kaupp, who moved to Lethbridge after leaving the family farm west of New Dayton.  Dad married his life-long love and partner Francis Kaupp on June 21, 1952.  Mom, who is known to most as “Franki” was raised on a farm east of Bowden with her brothers and sisters.  Over the next twelve years Mom and Dad were blessed with seven children including six boys and a daughter.

Tragically, their oldest son William (Bill to most) passed with his son Clinton in February of 2018.  Howard is survived by his wife Franki, daughter-in-law Paula, son Patrick and wife Audrey, son Brian and friend Jeannie, son Gordon and wife Pam, son Gerald, son Shelly and wife Leslie, and daughter Karen and husband Gord. As the years rolled by the Kaupp family expanded with surviving grandchildren that include Jaime, Lindsay, Jon, Paul, Cale, Kimberly, Curtis, Tyler, Raymond, Wally, and Lexie. There are 19 great grandchildren so far.

Howard had a very full and happy life in many respects.  He was tall in stature and had an extra kind heart that guided him towards a disposition of integrity, compassion and generosity towards family, friends and many strangers who often came to visit the family farm and sometimes ended up living there for a time working and otherwise getting to know Howard and Franki.  Dad had a kind and engaging way of communicating with most people that resulted in many long-lasting friendships and other positive connections in the local communities of New Dayton, Warner, Milk River, Raymond and Lethbridge. Howard was also active with his wife Franki in politics whether at the local, provincial or federal levels. 

Farming was his main lifelong occupation, but Howard also enjoyed running his Pork Shop in Lethbridge, and some years working at UMA engineering.  Dad was very proud of his role in helping to bring fresh water by way of an underground pipeline to their local community that was later expanded to other farms and communities.

Howard very much enjoyed a number of trips to Europe with Franki, and other friends, renting cars and enjoying the sites throughout England, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland and northern Italy.  In his earlier life, Dad enjoyed basketball, baseball, curling, hunting, and dancing.  Howard was a social man who enjoyed a cold beer or a mixed drink of rum and coke.  Sometimes he would make an exception and have more than one.

Dad made countless meals and extra great breakfasts of fried eggs, pancakes and homemade sausage for his many, visitors, friends and ever-expanding family.  Howard was very proud of his family.  He believed that the family farm was the best place on earth to live even when the west wind was blowing too hard, day after dusty day!  And of course, he was beyond certain that marrying Franki was his best day, and her best choice, that led to long lasting happiness, a big family, and many fun adventures, vacations, parties and other get togethers at the farm one mile west of New Dayton.  Howard and Franki were very proud of their home and perfect summer yard of flowers and trees that hosted many fun events and relaxing cool evenings. 

Going to Church and practicing his Catholic faith was central to how Howard thought about life.  Howard understood that everyone, including himself, made mistakes big and small.  And just as important, he believed in the forgiveness of sin, and the life everlasting to come, hopefully in that happy place above the clouds.  Thankfully, Howard will have many friends and family to greet him on his continuing journey towards the light.

Thank you to Raymond Hospital, Good Samaritan Linden View in Taber and the Taber Hospital for the great care they took of Howard.

A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 pm, on Sunday March 31, 2019 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610, 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am, Monday, April 1, 2019 at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405-12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Howard Frank Kaupp, please visit our floral store.