Gladys Irene Howe

Gladys Irene Howe, 94, of Rochester, MN, formerly of Waterloo, 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 her mother, Thelma Adelia Moen, and her father, Joseph Leonard Skaim. Joseph passed away from pneumonia when Gladys was just seven years old. Later, her mother remarried Leonard Melvin Larson, who adopted all seven girls as his own and became a wonderful daddy to them, along with six additional biological children of his own and

Thelma's-creating a family of thirteen.

Gladys cherished her upbringing in such a large family, where creativity and fun were part of daily life. She fondly remembered filling the oil lamps for her mother, who trusted her because she was incredibly careful; and did a wonderful job. Gladys graduated from Decorah High School, becoming the first in her family to do so. She loved to dress up and go out with her girlfriends. She especially enjoyed dancing at Matter's ballroom. After high school, she worked as a secretary for Iowa Electric Light and Power during

the early years of her marriage she worked for Pepsi Cola Bottling Company before dedicating herself to being a homemaker and a mother. On October 5, 1957, she married Graydon Gregory Howe Jr. at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Waukon, Iowa. Together, Gladys and Graydon were actively involved in their church community. Gladys taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, read lessons, participated in, and led Bible studies, and was involved with the Evangelism Committee, the Mr., and Mrs. Club, and

the women of the church.

Gladys and her husband Graydon raised their family in Waterloo. They would go dancing on Saturday nights at the Electric Park ballroom. They enjoyed entertaining both friends and family. They enjoyed traveling. Christmas, birthdays, and family vacations were important. Gladys cherished her family and the home on Dundee Ave was a place to gather for friends and family alike. If someone knocked on the door at mealtime, another chair was pulled up and another plate added to the table. There was always room, and everyone was always welcome.

As a passionate gardener, Gladys loved to dig in the dirt, nurturing both her vegetable garden and her beloved flowers. She was well-known in her neighborhood, where many families had children of similar ages. Gladys often welcomed all the kids to the front porch for Kool-Aid and cookies, fostering a tight-knit neighborhood community. She was a caring neighbor who genuinely loved people, especially children. As a mother and grandmother, Gladys was truly remarkable. Her daughters regarded

her as their role model, always seeing the best in everyone and never speaking ill of anyone. She lived her faith fully and radiated love and kindness throughout her life. Gladys lived in the same house in the same neighborhood for 59 years. She knew all her neighbors new and old. Gladys nurtured community and made sure everyone felt loved and welcomed.

In 2014 she started wintering with her youngest daughter, Susan, in Texas and in December 2019, she moved to Denton, Texas full time. Everyone loved Gladys and she enjoyed her new neighbors, and church community. Gladys moved with Susan and Chris to Rochester, MN in mid-December 2023. She treasured her time in both Texas and Minnesota because it allowed special time with her 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 resident of Samaritan Bethany, where she enjoyed her caregivers and her community. Gladys enjoyed frequent visits from family members, she really enjoyed seeing her siblings and time with her grand and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed weekly e-visits with relatives. She saw her glass as half full, she loved life and was a joy to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Skaim, Thelma, and Leonard Larson; her husband Graydon G. Howe, Jr.; 6 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, Jerry Ewing; sister-in-law, Doreen Larson; and 5 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, Katie (Jason) Terhune, Seth (Emily) Clarkson, Ryan (Erika) Trower, Ben (Anne) Clarkson, and Sarah (Clayton) Boyd; 13 great grandchildren, Hailey Trower, Zach Terhune, Alexus Trower, Eden Clarkson, Graydon Boyd, Isaaq Clarkson, Carley Trower, Atira Clarkson, Laura Clarkson, Avram Clarkson, Owen Clarkson, Blakely Boyd, and Amaris Clarkson; and one great-great grandson, Brooks Schwartz; 6 siblings,

Lorraine Wright, Marketa Schuler, Anna Marie Ewing, Harry Larson, Daryl (Ellen) Larson, David (Linda) Larson; 33 nieces and nephews, plus great nieces and nephews.

Visitation and Funeral Service: Family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30a.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.