Myrna L. Howard

SIOUX CITY | Myrna L. Howard, 86, of Sioux City died Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 surrounded by her family at Casa de Paz from complications of ALS. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014 at Concordia Lutheran Church with Rev. Henry Witte officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Monday with the family 6-8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. all at the church. Condolences may be sent online at www.meyerbroschapels.com. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is handling arrangements. Myrna was born Sept. 5, 1928 in Ireton, Iowa the daughter of Fredrick G. and Margaret A. (Rankin) Dirks. She grew up on the family farm with three brothers and four sisters. On Nov. 20, 1948 she married Vernon L. Howard in Sioux City. The couple made their home in Sioux City. Together they raised nine children. In 1955 they moved to Yankton, SD where Myrna worked at the State Hospital. They returned to Sioux City in 1969. She worked at I.B.P. for 17 years and then part time in the cafeteria at I.P.S until her retirement in 1985. Myrna loved to crochet. She was fond of baking and cooking for her family. Christmas was her favorite holiday when the family could all be together. She loved being with her children and grandchildren. She was a longtime member of Concordia Lutheran Church. Her church family was very important to her. Survivors include her children, Jean Bickford of Beloit, Wisc., Gail (Richard) Goeden of Wendell, Ind., Dennis (Sharon) Howard of Pierson, IA, Debra (Frank) Kincaid of Broken Arrow, OK, Marlo Howard and his fiancée, Connie Scheer of Mapleton, IA, Gary (Laura) Howard, Marlin "Bob" (Claudyne) Howard and Delvin (Lonnel) Howard all of Sioux City, a son-in-law, Steve McLagan of Wayne, Nebr.; a brother, Carlyle "Swede" (Ihlo) Dirks of Orange City, IA; a sister, Della (Scott "Brad") Busch of Longmont, Colo.; 27 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren plus another on the way; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Teri McLagan, son-in-law, Rick Bickford, daughter-in-law, Joyce Howard; grandson, Jacob Vernon Howard, 5 siblings, and 2 grandchildren at birth. Pallbearers will be Eric McLagan "Best Looking", Adam Howard, Zach Howard, Kelly Howard, Scottie Bickford and Kyle Bickford. Honorary pallbearer will be Jacob Howard. Memorials may be made in her name to Concordia Lutheran Church or to the ALS Foundation.