Jay H. Howlett

BRITT – Jay H. Howlett, 96, of Britt died Sunday, May 17, 2015 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at the First Lutheran Church in Britt with Rev. Norman Bauer officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Donna Tech who will accompany congregational hymns. Usher will be Harold Boekelman. Casket bearers will be Paul Walczak, Allan Giese, Quentin Stortenbecker, Cliff Howlett, Dave Howlett and Kurt Howlett. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Tuesday at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Jay Harold Howlett was born August 6, 1918 to Martin and Bertha (Severson) Howlett at Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Kanawha Lutheran Church. He attended Erin #9 country school, graduating from Britt High School in 1936. On March 21, 1940, he married Nadine Thompson of Kanawha, Iowa, and, this past March, celebrated 75 years of commitment and dedication to one another and family. To this union, two children were born: Duane Allen and Karen Ann. Early in their married life, Jay had a passion for farming raising feeder cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens. He was active in the farming community through various Co-Ops, Farm Bureau, S.C.S, Beef Producers, Community Chest and also became County Weed Commissioner. After 35 years, he turned the farming operation over to his son and Jay and Nadine began traveling the United States, including delivering Winnebago motor homes for 12 years. Through their travels, they managed to see all 50 states, Mexico and Norway. He also took on new hobbies. Family and friends treasure the detailed scroll saw woodworking designs that he skillfully made. Jay actively worked to improve the environment through his metal recycling and he continued this work until they moved from their home to the Summit House in Britt in 2013. He enjoyed the friendships he built while playing Chinese Checkers and LCR with fellow residents of the Summit.

Jay loved the Lord serving as an usher and Sunday School Superintendent at Kanawha Lutheran and Treasurer, Trustee and Chairman in First Lutheran Church of Britt. His strong faith carried him through to the very end.

He is survived by his wife, Nadine; son, Duane Howlett of Britt (special friend, Anita Helland); daughter, Karen (Ronald) Olien of Eden Prairie, MN; granddaughters, Kathleen Hempe of Maple Grove, MN, Julie (Paul) Walczak of Chicago, Lisa (Quentin) Stortenbecker of Britt, Kristi Olien of Eden Prairie, MN and Lori (Allan) Giese of Eden Prairie; great grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew Hempe, Audrey and Alexandra Walczak and Emily and Ethan Giese; a sister-in-law, Mildred Howlett of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Glenn and Clifford Howlett; niece, Edythe Howlett; and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Howlett.