Bernice J. Howe

Bernice J. Howe

Dec. 3, 1929 – Nov. 10, 2017

Bernice Joyce Howe was born Dec. 3, 1929, in Yankton, South Dakota, to Abraham and Leona Ruth (Lumpkin) Berghuis and passed away Nov. 10, 2017, in Seward at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 7 days.

Bernice grew up in the Hinton, Iowa, area where she attended school and graduated valedictorian with the class of 1948. She then attended business school in Sioux City for one year. On Jan. 26, 1950, Bernice was united in marriage to Loren E.Q. Howe in Hinton. The couple made their home in the Hinton area where they farmed for several years. The couple then moved to Goehner in March 1962. Bernice was a stay-at-home mom until all of her children were in school. She worked at several different businesses until she began working at Seward Memorial Hospital in the laundry department. She retired as the laundry supervisor after 15 years of service.

Bernice was a longtime member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church where she served in the Ladies Aide and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She also was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary and Goehner Precinct Election Board. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, working on crafts and painting. She loved cooking and baking, gardening, playing cards with her friends, traveling with Loren and spending time with her family.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Loren; son, Richard; great-grandson, Harper Andelt; sister and brother-in-law, Bonnie Jean and Odie Nielsen; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lloyd and Mavis Howe and Lowell and Shirley Howe.

She is survived by her children, Jerry Howe (Sue) of Litchfield Park, Arizona, and their children, Jason (Lindsay), Lori (Jason) Sletten and their children, Adalynn and Keegan; James Howe and his daughter, Ciara (Gavin)McCormack-Greenwalt; Craig Howe (Sue) of Kearney and their children, Gregory (Lyndsey) and their child, Sylvie, and Steven (LeKeisha) and their child, Cohen; Rod Howe (Jana) of Omaha and their children, Rylan (April) and Ashley; Mary Kent (Russ) of Crete and their children, Angie (Steve) Andelt and their children, Zane, Ames, Hayes and Clay, Jeremy Kent (Crystal) and their children, Camden and Brayden, Adam Kent (Julie) and their child, Carter; Thomas Howe (Shelley) of Omaha, and their children, Lindsay (Tony) Hormandl and their children, Brixton and Brooks, and Carlee (Colin) Walker; and Pat Howe of Seward and her children, Jakob (Monica) and LaKresha.

A funeral service was held Nov. 13, 2017, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Goehner, with the Rev. Seth Meyer officiating. Burial followed at Mound Prairie Cemetery near Goehner. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howe family for future designation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.