Obituary for Delores Irene (Kostman) Howe

Delores Irene (Kostman) Howe, 91, of Sparta WI (formerly from Waukon, IA and Bangor, WI) passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on December 5, 2020. She was born in Postville, IA to Paul and Dora (Cooper) Kostman on the family farm on July 22, 1929. After high school, she taught in a one room schoolhouse for approximately two years. She came to La Crosse, WI to renew her teaching license at the LaCrosse Teacher’s College in the summer of 1950. It was there she met the taxi cab driver, Neil Howe. The cab was late and Delores was angry when Neil arrived, so he offered to make it up to her over a cup of coffee the next day. The rest, as they say, is history. They were united in marriage in Deridder, LA on December 21,1950, under the sparkling Christmas tree, before Neil deployed to serve in the Korean War. Together they had three children Richard (Aileen, formerly married to Helen) Howe, Dan (Connie) Howe, and Rose (Ron) Swenson. They moved around a bit, before settling in Bangor, WI in 1965 in an old school house that they remodeled. Delores loved getting the family together - it didn’t have to be a special occasion - just cooking, baking, going on walks or planting flowers with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren was enough to make her happy. Delores loved flowers and always had several flower beds blossoming with beautiful flowers. If someone gave her flowers she would let the world know about it, she appreciated them so much! She loved taking trips with Wendy and her family and got to visit Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mexico, and Mackinaw Island to name a few. Delores loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly and always said the kids were music to her ears - even when they were being annoyingly noisy! Delores is survived by her children and their spouses, her grandchildren - April (Issam), Rebecca (Bryan), Adam (Rachel), Sue (Dave), Candy, Earl (Melissa), Jessi (Jason), Kristin (Jose), Wendy (Jorge), Brian (Kendra), Rachel (Cupertino); great grandchildren - Dustin, Loraley, Jake, Megan, Anas, Saleh, Hannah, Hamzah, Owen, Mohammad, Olivia, Lucas, Melissa, Michael, Jarin, Lyndzee, Amber, Jason, Lily, Evan, Kayden, Lia, Ivan, Antonio, Jose, Tyler, Kiana, Valeria, Brianna, Rozlyn, Mariana, and Francisco; and great-great grandchildren - Haylie, Jaylyn, Sebastian, Christian, Jaxson, Aria, and Alani; a Brother-in-law Gary and a Sister-in-law Nancy, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Delores was preceded in death by her husband: Neil; her parents: Paul and Dora, siblings: Paul, Delmar, and Caryl; mother and father-in-law Ira and Inez, sister-in-laws: Helen, Doris, Betty, Joyce and Janet; brother-in-laws: Howie, Gene, Leon and Jim; and a granddaughter: Paula Hernandez. Jandt Family Funeral Home in Bangor, WI is assisting the family with arrangements. Visitation is planned for December 18, 2020 from 4-7pm and December 19, 2020 from 10-11am. The funeral is planned for December 19, 2020 at 11am at the funeral home with Reverend Jeff Burrows officiating. Due to COVID, dates are subject to change. Feel free to call Wendy at 608-487-3766 to confirm date didn't change. The funeral will be limited to 25 people and reserved for immediate family first. All are welcome to stop by the visitation to pay their respects and say their goodbyes. All are also welcome to attend the graveside services as there is more room for social distancing outdoors. The family is also planning a celebration of life in July 2021 around Delores’ birthday - outdoors, so there will be plenty of room to social distance. Special thank you to Wendy, Rachel, Rose and their families for making it possible for Delores to remain at home as that was very important to her - to be surrounded by her loved ones until the end of her time on earth.