Funeral Services for Dennis Howe will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 18, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. The service will be livestreamed on the Trinity Algona YouTube page. Burial will be Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Harlington Cemetery in Waverly, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to the time of the service on Monday.
Dennis Lee Howe was born February 13, 1946, in Algona; the son of Edwin and Dorothy (Pettit) Howe. He grew up in Lone Rock and graduated from Sentral High School in 1964. Following high school, he attended Universal Trade School in Omaha to become a mechanic.
On September 11, 1965, he was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church in Shell Rock.
On January 16, 1965, Dennis was united in marriage to Nancy Schmeling, his high school sweetheart, at Peace Lutheran Church in West Bend. They made their home in Shell Rock where he worked at Renning Motor Ford. In 1977, he started his job for the City of Waverly and subsequently moved there in 1981. He worked there for 28 years until his retirement in June 2005.
Later in 2005, they made their home in Whittemore and lived on Nancy’s family farm. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona.
Dennis enjoyed being outdoors, whether taking care of his birds or doing upkeep on the farm. His greatest love, though, was camping with Nancy. They spent countless days traveling in the western states and enjoyed many memorable vacations on their motorcycle. Dennis was known
for his unmatched mechanical skills. He loved working in his shop. He had a gift for fixing anything, and there was no challenge too great for him to tackle with his hands and mind.
Dennis died surrounded by his family on November 12, 2024, at MercyOne in Mason City. He was 78.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy of Whittemore; daughter, Julie (Robert) Zwolinski of Mound, MN; and step-grandson, Ryder Zwolinski.
Preceding him in death are his parents; daughter, Shelley Howe; parents-in-law, Harold and Johanna Schmeling.
MY DAD
During his life, my Dad was my guide and my rock.
Sometimes whether I wanted it or not.
But as I grew older, I realized
he was almost always right,
which helped me get through
every day and every night.
He was generous, kind,
a little chatty and smart,
If anyone needed help,
he’d be there from the start.
He left this world too early,
I wanted him forever with me.
But now I know he’s in heaven,
with his beloved daughter, Shelley.
I’m so grateful that you were my Dad.
~ Julie (Howe) Zwolinski
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