Jeffery S. Howe

Jeffery S. Howe passed away unexpectedly at the age of 56 in Blair, Wisconsin, on Sunday, May 10, 2026, doing what he loved: working on the family farm.

Jeff was born in 1970 to Kenneth and Sandra (Hubert) in La Crosse, WI. He graduated from Onalaska High School in 1988, though he spent the majority of his school years in Holmen. Jeff’s marriage to Sue Lint produced two adventurous children. They later divorced.

Jeff’s motto was to work hard so you could play harder. Jeff launched his first business, a version of Shut-the-Box, in high school and hired other students to work for him. His entrepreneurial spirit continued in partnership with his parents, Kenneth and Sandra (Hubert), in Howe Concrete. Jeff would go on to own and operate Coulee Region Docks for 35 years, until his death.

At the age of 28, Jeff was electrocuted by a high-line wire and lost his left hand, yet went on to live life to the fullest and work harder in a day than most people do in a week. Jeff continued to live his best life outdoors, waterskiing, boating, hunting, fishing, and harvesting stone crab in the Florida Keys. He was a lifetime member of the La Crescent Snowmobile and Knot Rite Boat Clubs and enjoyed countless weekends camping and boating on the river with good friends and family. In the fall, Jeff dedicated his time to creating a prime hunting oasis, always in search of the next big buck.

Jeff found unconditional love with Debra Hoeth, as well as a shared spirit, a love of the outdoors, and an equal work ethic. They were married in 2016 and created a successful business partnership that led to the purchase of several investment properties, including the family farm and their retirement home in the Florida Keys.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Debra (Stegen); children, Shane (Evan) of Milwaukee and Jaden of La Crosse; father, Ken Howe of Spring Hill, FL; brothers, Dean (Kris) and Nick (Nikki); sister-in-law, Jo Ann Kuester; and brother-in-law, Rick Stegen (Paula Leum); nieces Kym (Rory) Barrett, Giana, and Brinley. Jeff cherished his close relationships with his aunts and uncles, many friends, and extended family members too numerous to list. Jeff was preceded in death by his mother, Sandy Howe (Hubert); his grandparents; in-laws, La Verne and Darlene Stegen; brother-in-law, Kevin Kuester; and, most recently, his beloved dog, Mossy.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Brad, Brendan, the Blair-Preston first responders, the dedicated CRD team, and countless others who stepped forward to assist during this unexpected tragedy. Memorials may be dedicated in Jeff’s honor to North American Squirrel Association (N.A.S.A.), P.O. Box 186, Holmen, WI 54636, or the Blair-Preston Fire Department and First Responders, P.O. Box 823, Blair, WI 54616.

Schumacher-Kish La Crosse is handling the arrangements, and Pastor Andy of River’s Harvest Church will officiate.

The funeral and visitation will be held at Schumacher-Kish La Crosse, 200 West Ave. South, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 2–6 p.m., and on Monday, May 18, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m., with the funeral service at noon. Lunch will follow at The Hatchery. A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer.

Jeff is missed by so many. His favorite t-shirt bought at Sturgis sums up his outlook on life: “I will arrive at my grave in a body completely used up, skidding sideways and screaming, ‘WHAT A RIDE!’

And would say to the CRD crew “We just gotta keep going”