Alec Sagan Howard, 23, of Minnewaukan, ND passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at his home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 10, 2021 at the Trinity Free Lutheran Church in Minnewaukan with Pastor Luther 'Lu' Mathison officiating. Public Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Trinity Free Lutheran Church. Burial will take place at Trinity Free Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor's choice. Everyone is welcome to stream the service online through Nelson Funeral Home Facebook Page.  CDC recommendations including social distancing, hand sanitizing and staying away if not feeling well are encouraged. Wearing a mask is required.

Alec Sagan Howard was born October 25, 1997 to Rhonda Thompson Gilpatrick and Jay Howard. He was raised and educated in the Grand Forks Public School System and Minnewaukan Public School and attended Lake Region State College where he studied Information Technology. He enjoyed band and chorus as well as Enrichment Club and Chess Club and excelled in computer knowledge. Alec worked for Memory Fireworks, Leever's, the Cobblestone Hotel and worked independently repairing computers.

As a child, he enjoyed singing and dancing for his family, an undivided audience, who greatly enjoyed his humor and antics. He had a great wit and coined many "Alecisms". He loved reading and had a true love of all music genres. He expressed himself through photography and music and was a gifted singer. Alec dearly loved animals and has always had a kind and gentle soul. He saw the beauty in others and excelled in human kindness. He was a loyal and true friend. His first best friends were his brother, Ethan and his cousins and that carried into his young adult life. He has always been a deep thinker and enjoyed philosophy. He enjoyed gaming, tinkering with computers, and the outdoors. The past 7 years he and his brother have lived with their Grandma Hollys and Grandpa Richard.

Alec struggled with depression and left this world by his own hand on Wednesday, March 31 ^st in his home. Our hearts are broken and we miss him and his giggles and smirks as well as his big beautiful heart.

Survivors include his parents, Rhonda Thompson Gilpatrick and Jeff Gilpatrick, Jay and Renata Howard; brother, Ethan Howard; grandparents, Hollys and Richard Peterson, Larry (Marsha) Howard, Ronnie and Becky Thompson; auntie, Rita Thompson Halvorson (Brian); uncles, Randy (Sherri) Thompson, Ryan (DeShawn) Thompson and Dan (Anita) Howard; several cousins who will carry him the day we say goodbye for now. We love you, love you lots.