Myrna L. Howard

Myrna J. Howard, 74, of Kingsley, passed away Sunday, April 4, 2021 at MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines, IA.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 17, 2021 followed by fellowship at Rohde Funeral Home in Kingsley, IA.  Visitation will begin Friday at 5:00 p.m. with the family present until the time of prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Rohde Funeral Home.  Online condolences can be sent to rohdefh.com.

Myrna was born February 11, 1947 in Fayetteville, NC, the daughter of Leslie and Joye (Gulsvig) Larson.  Myrna grew up in Zerkel, MN and graduated high school in Bagley, MN.  From there, she moved to Minneapolis, where she met her future husband Ray Howard as they both attended the Medical Institute of Minnesota.  Myrna and Ray were united in marriage on January 17, 1970 in Bemidji, MN.  Myrna loved her family and friends, and her interests included coffee with friends, church moderator for 15 years at United Church of Christ in Kingsley, attending the Sioux City Symphony, camping with family at Lake Itasca, and spending time in Des Moines with her son Chad and his dog Kingsley.  Myrna was also an active member of P.E.O. (where she held numerous offices, including President – three times), Red Hat Society, and The Questers.  Myrna’s career consisted of numerous advancements and honors at Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, where she retired after 37 and a half years of service.  After her first attempt at retiring, Myrna could not sit idle, so she decided to join the Western Iowa Technical Community College enrollment services team on a part-time basis.  At age 73, Myrna became fully retired.

Survivors include her husband, Ray Howard, son, Chad, granddog, Kingsley, sister, Yvonne MaGaurn, brothers, Wayne, Lyle, Mark, and Terry Larson.

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Larry Larson, and granddog, Bemidji.