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Laura Howard Obituary
Laura was born June 8, 1911, to Arthur Miller and Laura (Bauman) Miller in Oil City, Kan. She married Gerald A. Howard on Aug. 20, 1938, in Jackson.
In 1935, Laura was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate who received a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Michigan.
Before her marriage, she went to work for DuPont in Buffalo, N.Y., where she participated in the research on Rayon 66, the forerunner of nylon. She took part in testing the molecular structure of the first synthetic fibers for strength and elasticity.
She was an avid seamstress, very involved with her church and the U of M Alumni Club in Jackson, read the Wall Street Journal on a daily basis and at 96, she was still doing her own income taxes!
Surviving Laura are her children, Dr. William (Jean) Howard of Traverse City, Beverly (Ron) Lichty of Phoenix, Ariz., Dr. David (Sandra) Howard of Traverse City and Stephen Howard of Buchanan, Mich.; grandchildren, Scott (Michele) Howard of Traverse City, Margo Howard of Washington, D.C., Craig (Shannon) Howard of Rockville, Md., Brian Howard and Paige Howard of Traverse City, Sarah (Dennis) Beaver of Port Lavaca, Texas, Janice (Jeremy) Latimer of Washington D.C., and Cynthia (Joel) Hayes of Phoenix, Ariz.; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gerald; and her brother, Arthur F. Miller.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, at the home of Bill and Jean Howard, 516 Birchwood Avenue in Traverse City. Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the First United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mich. The Rev. Ed Ross will officiate the services. Burial will take place at The Riverside Cemetery in Three Rivers, Mich.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Traverse City Women's Resource Center; TART Trails, Inc. in Traverse City; or the First United Methodist Church in Jackson.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City and The Wetherby Company Funeral Home in Jackson.
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
James Hungerford
September 23, 2008
Bev, Dave, Bill, Steve,
It was my pleasure to have known your mom and dad while growing up across the street in Jackson. They were both very nice to me and I have nothing but good memories of them.
Beverly Laptos
September 21, 2008
To the Howard Family,
What a fine lady she was! I know you will miss her so much. She and your Dad came to my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. That was the last time I recall seeing them.
May you be comforted in knowing she is in a better place.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Tom and Bev (Isner) Laptos
Suzanne & Pete Mortlock
September 21, 2008
Bill, Jean and Family. We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Just imagine, 97. The things she experienced and saw during her lifetime must have been amazing. May the memories you have help to sustain you. She'll always be with you and you have our heartfelt sympathy.
Jen Gunderson
September 19, 2008
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The Gunderson Family
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Marie Boyle
September 19, 2008
My sympathy to the Howard family.
Cathy Maddasion
September 19, 2008
My deepest sympathy to the entire family for your loss.
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