Jim Howes

Jim J. Howes, 71, of Waukon, IA, died Monday, July 1, 2019, at his home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 6th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial will be at St. John the Baptist -- West Ridge Cemetery, rural Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Friday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 PM scripture service.

James John Howes was born May 10, 1948, in La Crosse, WI, the son of John and Mary (Lyons) Howes. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, IA, and graduated from St. Patrick High School. On July 4, 1970, Jim married Lindy Van Horn at St. Patrick's. Jim spent most of his life working in construction, first moving to Cedar Rapids, IA, to work before coming back to Waukon to work for several places over the years including Robert Stilwell, Gary Lonning Concrete and Construction, then went to Croell Redi-Mix to drive cement truck and later became manager, retiring in 2014. Besides that, Jim also worked at the Northeast Iowa Sales Commission and helped area farmers with field work and milking cows. He loved working with cattle and thoroughly enjoyed going to cattle shows and sales; he also loved watching his kids and grandkids show their cattle.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and was a past 4-H leader. Quite the sportsman, Jim did a lot of trapping for fox, coyote, coon and hunted for deer and squirrels. He also liked to fish, ride around looking for deer, have parties on the deck with his family, and spending time with his dog Chelz.

Jim is survived by his wife Lindy of Waukon; his two children: Dawn (John) Burroughs of New Albin, IA, and Josh (Amanda) Howes of Monona, IA; grandchildren: Bailey (Jared) Estebo, Aubrey (Tyler Ward),  Deana Schlitter, Will and Hadley Howes, and Mike and Jordyn Burroughs; great-grandchildren: Keagen, Kinlee, Kohen, and Kate Estebo, and Paisley Ward; four sisters: Ann (Charlie) Byrnes of Waukon, Jean (Gary) Gilbertson of Waterville, IA, Mary (Kevin) Plotz of Swisher, IA, and Betty Ryan of Shellsburg, IA; two brothers: John (Lila) Hancock of Shellsburg, IA, and Bill (Carol) Hancock of Waukon; an aunt Betty Zischke of La Crosse, WI (who cared for Jim during his first two years of life); brother-in-law Jude Hermsen of La Porte, IN; many nieces and nephews; and Chelz his dog.

He was preceded in death by his parents: John Howes, Mary (Lyons) Howes, and Connie (Hancock) Howes; a sister Shirley Hermsen; and father and mother-in-law Don and Marge Van Horn.

Honorary casketbearers are Jim's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and Satch. Casketbearers are John and Bill Hancock, Glen Mathis, Wilbur Kollmann, Dave Stilwell, Pat Ryan, Gary Lonning, and Dennis Lyons.