Reed Robert "Skip" Howdle, Jr.

Reed Robert “Skip” Howdle, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2019 at the Prairie Vista Nursing Home in Altoona, Iowa.

Skip was born in Omaha Nebraska to Reed Rundell Howdle and Catherine Lucille O’Brien on February 7, 1929 and is survived by his four brothers and sisters, Lorraine Cullingham, Carol Pfannenstiel, Bill Howdle and Mike Howdle.

After graduating from Benson High School in Omaha in 1947, Skip furthered his education at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and ultimately graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity. Additionally, Skip also proudly served in the United States Marine Corp.

In 1953, Skip was married to JoDee Moore in Omaha, Nebraska and raised two children, Diane Howdle Zamora (married to Larry Zamora) from Los Angeles and David Howdle (married to Deb Howdle), from Altoona Iowa. JoDee preceded Skip in death in July of 1978.

In August of 1979, Skip was blessed to be joined in matrimony to Mary Jean Cunningham and enjoyed 40 years of marriage highlighted by extensive travel, time with friends and family, including Skip’s stepchildren, Tom (Becky) Cunningham and Lauri (Clay) Hatcher as well as 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Skip and Mary Jean spent many years enjoying their mutual passion for golf, and could frequently be found on the golf course near their winter home in Naples, Florida.

Skip served as the Division Manager at US West for 35 years and after spending his early years working in Omaha and McCook, Nebraska, and Fargo, North Dakota, he finally settled in Des Moines, Iowa where he fully and lovingly embraced his community serving in the Rotary Club, The Knights of Columbus, The Master Gardeners of Iowa, The Des Moines Garden Club, as well as a RAGBRI participant and a founding member (along with Mary Jean) at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Skip will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband to Mary Jean, who preceded him in death this past June 9, 2019. A funeral Mass will be held Friday, November 15, 2019 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 7075 Ashworth Road in West Des Moines, Iowa at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will be held prior from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. Skip will be laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery.

The family requests any contributions be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church or the Food Bank of Central Iowa. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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