Gladys Irene Howe

1930 - 2024

Gladys Irene Howe

April 12, 1930 - December 20, 2024

Gladys Irene Howe, 94, of Rochester, Minn., formerly of Waterloo, Iowa and Denton, Texas, passed away on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Gladys Irene Skaim was born on April 12, 1930, in her family's home on the farm in Skaim Hollow, rural Waukon, Iowa. She was the fourth of seven daughters born to Joseph Leonard Skaim and Thelma Adelia Moen. Later, after her father's death, her mother married Leonard Melvin Larson, who adopted all seven girls. Six additional siblings were added to the family from this union.

Gladys graduated from Decorah High School, becoming the first in her family to do so. After high school, she worked as a secretary for Iowa Electric Light and Power. On October 5, 1957, she married Graydon Gregory Howe Jr. at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Waukon, Iowa. During the early years of her marriage, she worked for Pepsi Cola Bottling Company before dedicating herself to being a homemaker and a mother. Together, Gladys and Graydon were actively involved in their church community. Gladys and her husband Graydon raised their family, consisting of two daughters, Pam and Susan, in Waterloo. Gladys lived in the same house in the same neighborhood for 59 years. She knew all her neighbors new and old.

In 2014, she started wintering with her youngest daughter, Susan, in Texas, and in December 2019, she moved to Denton, Texas full time. In December 2023, she would follow Susan once more, moving to Rochester, Minn. Gladys treasured her time in both Texas and Minnesota, because it allowed special time with great-grandchildren in both states, as well as the time she spent with her overseas great-grandchildren on their trips back to 'The States.' In mid-January, Gladys became a resident of Samaritan Bethany in Rochester.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Skaim, Thelma, and Leonard Larson; her husband, Graydon G. Howe; six siblings, Milly (Bob) Daniels, Jan (Bob) Lein, Thelma (Lester) Sampson, Adeline (Bob) Jensen, Darleen Kline, Clark (Janet) Larson; brothers-in-law, Dick Wright, Bob Schuler, Carl Howe, and Jerry Ewing; sister-in-law, Doreen Larson; and five nephews, Larry Daniels, Kevin Lein, Jeffery Wright, Steven Wright, and Kelly Schuler.

Gladys is survived by her daughters, Pam (John) Trower and Susan (Chris) Clarkson; five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; six siblings; 33 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation and Funeral Service: Family will receive friends from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m., on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo. Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. Burial to follow at 2:00 p.m., at Fairview Cemetery-Waterloo.

Locke at Tower Park is serving the family. Please visit lockefuneralservices.com to offer your condolences.