Ruth Howe and Merril Thiel believed in giving back – and the strength of this belief will be realized for generations to come, as their Howe Thiel Charitable Fund will support Bemidji area nonprofits in perpetuity.
“We were both taught that if you have, you share,” Ruth told the Northwest Minnesota Foundation in 2020.
Merril passed away in 2019, and Ruth passed away this past December. But their legacies will live on through the Howe Thiel Charitable Fund, a fund the couple established in 2013.
Through intentional estate planning, done in partnership between their own personal advisors and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, their fund will support the United Way of Bemidji Area, Salvation Army, Friends of Lake Bemidji Fund, Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, Bemidji Community Food Shelf, and Evergreen Youth & Family Services.
“It feels good when people are thankful for the support we’ve been able to provide over the years,” Ruth told us in 2020. “I’m fortunate to be able to continually support causes that meant so much to Merril.”
Both grew up in farm communities during the Great Depression.
Ruth’s mother provided meals to anyone in need and also ensured that she and her siblings each had a penny to contribute each Sunday in the church offering plate.
Merril worked hard to contribute to the family farm, learning the value of helping neighbors and being a steward of the land. Those values continued throughout his life: He was an avid outdoorsman, gardener, and a committed, weekly volunteer for 24 years at the Bemidji Community Food Shelf.
Merril and Ruth were long-time friends who initially met through curling and enjoyed many sporting and outdoors activities together. Twenty years after first meeting, they married in August 1981.
If you would like to learn more about how to give back through a donor advised fund, visit https://nwmf.org/donors-giving/ways-to-give/donor-advised-funds or email giving@nwmf.org to connect with a philanthropy officer.
