Brian Joseph Moorhead, age 66, of Howard Lake, was called to his eternal rest Tuesday, April 12, 2011, while a patient at Hennepin County Medical Center.
He was born June 28, 1944, the son of Claude and Lillian (Claussen) Moorhead. Brian was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Waverly, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School.
After graduating from Howard Lake High School, he served his country in the US Army,
The farm implement store in Howard Lake known as Moorhead Implement was started by Brian’s father. Brian grew up in the shop and was an excellent mechanic, eventually taking over the business from his father.
His talents also included being a welder and fabricator, building a landmark folding dock and hydraulic boat lifts. More recently, he was employed by Woodland Township, retiring in June of 2010.
Brian had a life-long passion for flying airplanes, achieving his pilot’s license at the age of 18. When flying, he enjoyed “buzzing,” which is flying very low over the homes and farms of the people he knew just to let them know he was out flying,
He enjoyed living on the lake, morning coffee at the Winsted Airport, and early breakfasts in Waverly with his friends. His easy-going nature, good sense of humor, and love for life made him special to all who knew him, especially his grandchildren.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Lillian Moorhead.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; son Kyle (Connie) Moorhead; stepsons Bret (Christine) Stueven, and Chad (Kristal) Stueven; step-daughter Jaime (Jake) Diers; sister Joan (Mike) Holtz; brother Barry Moorhead; grandchildren Lindsay Langham, Marshall Stueven, Madison Moorhead, Megan and Loren Stueven, Kayla, Wyatt, Jessica and Nick Stueven; Casey Diers and Emma Diers; nieces; nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.
A celebration of Brian’s life took place Saturday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake, with the Revs. Michael Nirva and Martin Schoenfeld officiating. Special music was provide by Jake Diers, Aaron Kubasch, Loren Stueven, and Bret Stueven; and soloist Marge Stueven. Nancy Butterfass served as organist. Interment followed at the Howard Lake Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Brian’s grandchildren, Lindsay Langham, Marshall Stueven, Madison Moorhead, Megan Stueven, Loren Stueven, Kayla Stueven, and Wyatt Stueven. Honorary pallbearers are Jessica Stueven, Nick Stueven, Casey Diers, and Emma Diers.
Visitation was Friday, April 15 from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake, and continued Saturday at the church for one-half hour prior to the service.
Arrangements were by the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake.