Mary E. Howard

Mary Ellen Howard was born to Charles and Amelia Fink Howard, in Hampton, on March 7, 1952. Mary lived her entire life in Dows, first on the family farm then moving into town after the death of her father. Mary attended Dows Community School and Ackley-Geneva School. She spent most of her adult life as a client at Mosaic in Clarion. She also had a part-time job at Hardees in Clarion.

Mary was a loving friend to all who knew her. And she was known by many! She loved Pepsi, the Cubs and the Hawkeyes. (Not necessarily in that order!) She grew up in a time that could have led her down a different path had it not been for the devotion of her father, Charles. He ensured she'd have the financial security to lead a life among her family and friends.

She loved getting up every day and going to work. She was devoted! She also loved playing card games and she'd do her best to whup anyone who would sit across the table from her. While her mind wasn't like the rest, she had a gift for remembering birthdays! A card in the mail from Aunt Mary meant the rest of the family had better not forget! If you were lucky she'd put in a 5 spot.

Her biggest thrill came the first weekend in August during Dows Corn Days. Not the parade, not even the sweet corn. BINGO! And if rain was the forecast we'd have one sad lady on our hands. More often than not, Mary sat at the Bingo table for hours! Various friends and family members would join her throughout the day and into the evening. The joy on her face when she would tell folks she had won the measly pot was reason enough not to mess with her Bingo schedule. You knew where to find her.

She will be greatly missed this year but her family hopes those who knew Mary will play a few cards in her honor. She is so happy to be reunited into the loving arms of her mother and father in Heaven!

Mary is survived by her brothers Donald (Shelly) Howard, Homer (Linda) Howard, both of Dows, and a sister, Linda (Gary) Sheridan of Cannon Falls, Minn. Also mourning are her nieces and nephews: Michael (Vicky) Lambertsen, Dennis (Pat) Lambertsen, Sherry (Dwight) Peterson, Tanner and Hannah Howard, John and James Howard, Chad Sheridan, Joslyn (Corey) Mathison, Charles (Krista) Sheridan, William (Julie) Sheridan and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, sister Mable Lambertsen and brother-in-law Albert Lambertsen.