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Obituary for Walter Howell
Walter Howell passed away on February 19, 2021 surrounded by his family and beloved dog, Daisy.
Walter Keith Howell was born on August 10th,1933 to Lola (McCorkle) and Aaron Howell. He was the oldest of four children. His siblings are Duane Howell, Gary Howell, and Karen Howell Van Essen. He attended a country school for grade school where his morning responsibility was to start the fire in the wood stove to warm the school in cold winter months. He completed his high school years at Winterset High School, graduating with the class of 1952. He played football and ran track, holding a school record in the mile medley relay for many years.
He attended Iowa State University where he met his future wife, Nancy Esther Jolly, from Pleasantville, Iowa. Walt enlisted in the Army serving two years. Walt and Nancy were married July 31,1954 by an army chaplain at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
They made their first home in Tacoma, Washington and welcomed their first child, Marcia Lynn, on November 8,1955. A son, Craig Alan, was born August 13,1957, and on June 22,1960 Jeffrey Keith completed their family.
Walt, Nancy, and infant Marcia moved back to Iowa upon Walt’s discharge so he could pursue his passion to be a farmer. Walt started farming near Pitzer before moving closer to Winterset in the early 60’s where he was a dairy farmer for several years before purchasing a farm near Earlham. During that time he also ran a repair shop. Walt served on many church boards as deacon and elder and taught Sunday school classes.
He loved anything involving the outdoors - fishing, camping, picnicking, skiing, hiking, canoeing, and shooting sporting clays.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially his four-legged fur buddies. He welcomed any chance to be out on the farm “Driving Miss Daisy”, his furry companion, around on the Gator.
He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and to many, a dog whisperer. Many commented if there is reincarnation, they wanted to come back as Walt Howell’s dog.
Walt happily celebrated over 66 years of marriage with Nancy before his passing.
He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Marcia (Jeff) Anker, son Jeff (Annette) Howell, grandchildren, Kelyn Anker, Sutton Anker (Ben Eisenberg), Kelsey (Derek) Miller-Overton, Katie (Travis) Franck, Lanson Howell, Carrie Wright (Travis), Josh (Michelle) Howell, 7 great grandchildren, Ava, Mia, Ariana, Esten, Molly, Brian and Hannah, brothers Duane (Dorothy) Howell, Gary (Deborah) Howell, sister Karen Van Essen, sister-in-law Ruth Knapman, nieces, nephews, many friends, and his faithful furry companion Daisy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lola and Aaron Howell, son, Craig Alan Howell, and mother and father-in-law, Mary and Kirtz Jolly.
Graveside service will be held at the Earlham Cemetery on April 24, 2021 @ 10:30 am followed by a luncheon at the Earlham Church of Christ. Memorials can be made to Earlham Fire and Rescue or Earlham Church of Christ.
