64003_Diane M (Vsetecka)_Howe
MASON CITY | Diane M. (Vsetecka) Howe, of 22 Old Farm Road, Mason City, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, at Methodist Hospital, Rochester, Minn., from a rare form of cancer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, at Epiphany Parish-St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E., Mason City, Iowa.
Visitation will be held at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, with a Scriptural Wake at 7 p.m. Burial will be in the Elmwood/St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City.
Those who desire may leave memorials to the American Cancer Society or Lime Creek Nature Center in Diane’s memory.
Diane was born Nov. 24, 1950, to Frank and Phyllis (Sabelka) Vsetecka, New Hampton. Diane graduated from Turkey Valley High School (Jackson Junction) and from Hamilton Business College, Mason City.
She was united in marriage to Denny Howe on Feb. 23, 1974. From this union they had two children, Angie and Jason. Diane and Denny made their first home in Maryville, Mo. While in Maryville, Diane worked part time for the Social Security Administration and for Denny at Hy-Vee. They moved back to Mason City when Denny was selected to head the meat department at the new Hy-Vee East store in 1976.
In 1991, Diane was employed by the Principal Financial Group in Mason City until the time of her death.
Diane was a person of determination and many talents. She loved downhill and cross-country skiing, photography, shopping, bicycling and refinishing furniture. She also enjoyed playing golf, watching HGTV and watching birds and wildlife. Her passion was gardening and she was a member of the Iowa State Master Gardner’s Club and Lime Creek Nature Center.
Her special time with family included spending Thursdays with her oldest granddaughter Madison and traveling with Denny to Arizona, Florida and Alaska. She loved riding with Denny on their Harley as well as going on rides with their friends. She especially enjoyed hosting family holidays, as well as decorating her home for the holidays.
All of her grandchildren were special to her. She enjoyed taking them to fireworks on the 4th of July as well as area parades. Diane also took her grandchildren to kid’s day at the Spencer fair each year. Diane also taught her granddaughters how to sew doll clothes. Diane was a sponsor for her granddaughter, Madison’s confirmation studies.
Breakfast was her favorite meal and she particularly enjoyed going out for breakfast after church on Sundays. Diane was a member of Epiphany Parish-St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Maria’s circle. She was the Godmother to Danny Fuller and Michael Vsetecka.
Diane is survived by her husband, Denny of Mason City; daughter, Angela Ewalt (Nate), of Spencer; son, Jason (Shantel), of Mason City; stepson, Brian (Kathy Lubbert), of Rockford; seven grandchildren, Caleb, Madison, Ashley, Emily, Landon, Allie and Evan. Also surviving is her mother Phyllis Vsetecka; brothers, Leon, Keith, Rick, Dave; and sister, Karen as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Vsetecka; brother, Larry; her grandparents and her granddaughter Allison Ewalt.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City 641-423-2372, ColonialChapels.com.