Howard Theige

Longtime Minot resident, teacher, coach and sports official Howard Theige passed away peacefully under the care of hospice at Sheyenne Crossing Senior Center in West Fargo, ND after a long battle with Parkinson's disease on July 9, 2024.

Howard Marvin Theige was born in Harvey, North Dakota on September 8, 1936, to Marvin Theige and Inga (Johnson) Theige. While attending Harvey High School, Howard was active in sports and played on the football, basketball and baseball teams. Howard attended Minot State Teachers College until his two-year enlistment in the US Army. After his service he returned to Minot and finished his teaching degree.

Howard and Evelyn (Fronk) were united in marriage on August 18, 1958, in Harvey. Howard's teaching and coaching career brought them to Anamoose, Carrington and Devils Lake before settling in Minot in 1967. 

Howard was a dedicated teacher throughout his 51-year career. He taught Physical Education and Algebra before finding his true passion, Driver’s Education. He was instrumental in developing the Minot Public Schools Driver’s Education Program. After retiring from the North Dakota Public School system, he continued his teaching career by working as an Adjunct Professor at Minot State University teaching online classes for Driver’s Education Teacher Certification. During his 14 years at Minot State, Howard teamed with several nationally renowned professors to develop a Driver's Education Curriculum which was utilized by several states.

Howard was also passionate about coaching and officiating. He began his career by coaching several sports at Anamoose in 1958. He accepted head football coaching jobs in Carrington, Devils Lake and Minot with commendable success culminating with the 1980 state championship at Minot High. Howard was a fixture at state high school and American Legion baseball tournaments as the umpire in chief for decades. He also spent many years officiating basketball. Howard was inducted into the North Dakota Officials Hall of Fame and the Minot Baseball Hall of Fame.

Howard is survived by wife Evelyn Theige (Moorhead MN), son Dr. David (Theresa) Theige (Moorhead, MN), daughter Teri Wagner (Stillwater, MN), son Mike Theige (Las Vegas, NV) and six grandchildren, Melissa Theige (Fargo, ND), Kathryn Rainford (Cody) (Moorhead MN), Jon Theige (Fargo, ND), Stephen Wagner (Denver, CO), James Wagner, (Grand Forks, ND) and Mark Wagner, (Duluth, MN).

No services are planned at this time and the family is requesting no memorials.