Memorial services for Howard L. Dowdy, 57, of Aurelia, will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at the First United Methodist Church in Aurelia, with Pastor Thomas Petersen & Nelva Petersen CLS officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Church, with the family being present from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.
Howard Lynn Dowdy was born September 7, 1958, at Paducah, KY, the son of Eugene Franklin and Frances Sue (Lester) Dowdy. He attended school in Rembrandt and Storm Lake. On May 9, 1981 Howard married Mary Vring of Alta at the Methodist Church in Storm Lake, IA. They enjoyed 35 years of marriage together. He served in the National Guard from 1978 until 1982. Howard worked for Longmont Foods for fourteen years in Longmont, CO, then moved to Aurelia, Iowa and worked for the First Coop Association where he was still employed. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Aurelia. Howard enjoyed fishing, golfing, watching NASCAR racing, was an avid KC Chief fan. He coached his three children in youth sports always having time to volunteer and then coached his grandson, Zander in football, basketball, wrestling and baseball. Howard was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a very kind man who will be missed by his family and friends.
Howard died Saturday, July 23, 2016, at his home in Aurelia, with his loving family around his bedside. He was able to keep his sense of humor and wit to the end. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just two weeks before his death.
Preceding Howard in death were his parents, Eugene & Frances Dowdy, his grandmother Emma Lou Hardin, his mother-in-law, Carolyn Vring, one niece, Beth Lester, and one nephew, Joshua Lester.
Survivors include his wife Mary Dowdy of Aurelia, three children; Aaron Dowdy of Storm Lake, Amber and Nicole Dowdy both of Spencer, and one grandson, Zander Dowdy of Aurelia. Howards’ brothers and sisters are Darrell and his wife Dixie Lester of Rembrandt, Edward and his wife Jan Dowdy of Sioux Rapids, Linda Hanson of Ocheyedan, Carl and his wife Carmen Dowdy of Cherokee, Glen Dowdy of Lake Park, Kevin Dowdy and Missy Rhea of Paducah, KY. Also surviving are his father-in-law, Ray Vring of Alta, mother-in-law, Betty Wallerstedt of Storm Lake, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Judy Snedeker of Storm Lake, John and his wife Kelley Vring of Aurelia, Diane Vring of Alta, Michelle and her husband Scott Gaes of Sergeant Bluff, Stephanie Vring of Storm Lake, and JoAnn Foley and her husband Clint DeVore of Storm Lake, and many nieces and nephews other relatives and friends.