Charles Howieson

Charles (Chuck) Edward Howieson, of Johnston, Iowa, passed away on July 16, 2019 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center after a long-fought battle with cancer. Chuck is survived by his wife of 58 years, his sweetie, Marilyn; his children, Michael, Duane (Sheri), Renee (Jerome) and Mark (Jennifer). He will also be missed by his nine grandchildren, Amanda, Heather, Rachel, Branden, Jalen, Jada, Rosie, Jack and Lily; his siblings, Ruth Murray, Paul, Shirley (Gene) Nelsen, Karen (Don) Owen, Judy (Harlan) Remington, and Larry (Christie) as well as sister- and brother-in-laws, Barb Howieson, Jim Boeke, Lorraine Underwood, Carol Gatlin, LaVonne (Steve) Schneider, Jim (Sondra) Rowe, Karen (Dick) Donovan, Barb (Bill) Hensley, Larry (Luanne) Rowe, and Betty Birt; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by siblings Jim (Marcella), Bill, Andy (Jean), David, John (Shirleen), Grace Boeke, and Ron; brother-in-laws Dick Murray, John Spannring, Bernard Underwood, Bob Gatlin, and Tom Birt. Chuck was born to John and Helen (Leggett) Howieson on September 25,1939 at their farm near Lancaster, Minnesota. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from Claremont High School in 1957. Chuck served in 11th Armored Cavalry stationed in Landshut, Germany that was tasked with border surveillance along the German-Czech frontier of the “Iron Curtain”. After his service, Chuck attended Brown Institute in Minneapolis, MN. He was employed by IBM as a Support Customer Engineer for over 35 years and received multiple service awards for breathing life into ailing mainframe computers – by using any means necessary. Chuck was a long-time member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. He and Marilyn attended Ankeny UCC regularly at the request of their grandchildren. After retirement, he volunteered for over 20 years with the kids at CFUM (Children and Family Urban Movement). An article honoring Chuck’s years of service in the CFUM newsletter shared, “He touched so many lives over the years by cooking meals, helping students with homework, serving breakfast, and spending all day in the CFUM kitchen to prepare the Thanksgiving Eve meal. Year after year, when there was a need, Chuck and Marilyn were there.” Chuck loved boating and fishing, especially with his kids and grandkids. He could fix or build anything. All of his kids and grandkids have held a flashlight for him in many projects. He could service a computer, wire a house, install plumbing, or overhaul an automobile - he really could do anything. His spirit of service and know-how is easily seen in all of his “helper” grandchildren. Grandpa cherished his grandchildren and their sweet “smooches.” Those wishing to give memorials in lieu of flowers are asked to consider donations in his memory be made to the Ankeny United Church of Christ (AUCC), 602 SE Delaware, Ankeny, IA 50023. 2 Timothy 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2019 at Caldwell Parrish, 8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale 50322. The Funeral will be Saturday, July 20 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Chuck will be buried at the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in Adel, Iowa. Arrangements are being handled by Caldwell Parrish in Urbandale, Iowa.