Freda Mae Howell of Port Orange, Fla., passed away on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2014, at the age of 94. She was born March 12, 1920, in Salem, Iowa. She was married to Emery D. Howell in 1946 until his death in 1993. She worked 18 years for Black Hawk County Health Services until her retirement. She lived in the Waterloo area most of her life.

Freda was part of the art community and especially loved to watercolor paint. She enjoyed nature with each changing season and felt each day was a gift. She was a wise and thoughtful mother and grandmother. While growing up on a farm near Salem, Freda had a special bond with her twin brother Forest D. Dillavou. She is preceded in death by all five of her brothers and her only sister.

Mrs. Howell is survived by her children, Sherry (Dennis) Erpelding, Roger (Karen) Howell, Christine (Vernon) Geiger, Rhonda (James) Thompson and Mark Howell; grandchildren Sarah Graves, Carla Erpelding, Kevin Erpelding, Kyle Erpelding, Ryan Howell, Kimberly Tilley, Amy Nederhoff, Jamie Thompson, Terri Ann Fox, Katie Thompson, Alexandra Thompson, Pamella Loyola and Jason Hudgins; and also her great-grandchildren.