Karolyn Dora Howard

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Oct. 4, 1932--Jan. 21, 2011

GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska -- Karolyn Dora Howard, 78, passed away Friday (Jan. 21, 2011), at Golden Living Center-Lakeview in Grand Island.

Karolyn was born Oct. 4, 1932, in Benkelman, Nebraska to Frank and Hazel (Trout) Stute. She was baptized into faith at Methodist Episcopal Church on Aug. 29, 1937, and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, both in Benkelman.

She attended Hoover Country School in rural Dundy County through the eighth grade. While raising her family, she completed her high school education and graduated from Benkelman High School in 1972.

A special time of her life was when she spent two years traveling the United States with her girlfriend's Barbara Haslem and Marilyn Paulysin of Oregon. Karol loved her family, life, music and dancing. She spent many enjoyable hours playing her organ and accordion.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Howard; beloved son, Richard Robin Howard; parents, Frank and Hazel Stute; three brothers, Roy Stute and wife, Ruby, Carl Stute and wives, Fern and Jean, and Frank Stute Jr.; and sister, Doris DeVinney and husband, Harry.

Those left to cherish her memory are son, Roger Howard and Regina and her daughter, Crystal of North Platte, Nebraska; daughter, Deb Nordhausen and husband, Monte of Wauneta, Nebraska; son, Kevin Howard and wife, Shelli of Grand Island; three grandsons, Cory Nordhausen of Omaha, Nerbaska, and Cody and Ryan Howard of North Platte; five granddaughters, Heather Howard of Santa Rosa, California, Heidi Anderson and husband, Jason of Imperial, Nebraska, Megan Falla of Colby, Kansas, and Alyson and Courtney Howard of Omaha; and seven great-grandchildren.

Other survivors include her two brothers, John Stute and wife, Leona of Greeley, Colorado, and Larry Stute and wife, Arlene of Benkelman; one sister, Iva Jean Lewis and husband, Fred of Witter, Arkansas: two sisters-in-law, Ardith Stute of Imperial and Joyce Ham and husband, Arden of Benkelmen; special family and care giver, Candy and Eugene Ham of McCook, Nebraska; other special family friends close to Karol were Jenny Kaufman of Greeley, and Betty and Larry Hansen of Lincoln, Nebraska, and daughters Tawyna and Darla; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Friends may sign her book at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home or send condolences to the family at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Funeral services are Friday, 11 a.m. MST, at Zion Lutheran Church in Benkelman with the Pastor George Matthews officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Benkelman Cemetery.

This Bible verse, which she recited up until the later stages of her battle with Alzheimer's, brought her great comfort - JOHN 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.