Howard Mathiasen, 84, of Harlan passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa. A time of visitation with Howard’s family will take place from 5- 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. There will be a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2017 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. A Memorial Service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Le Mars. Military Honors will be conducted by Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion in Le Mars.
Howard Mathiasen was born on June 9, 1932 in Harlan, Iowa to Edward and Hannah (Greve) Mathiasen. He attended primary school at center #7 and later graduated from Harlan High School. Howard proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He earned an Honorable Discharge having attained the rank of Sergeant.
Howard was united in marriage to Val Brower and they were blessed with three children. He farmed in the Harlan and Avoca area until 1975 when he moved to Belgrade, Minnesota where he continued to farm.
On February 18, 1984, Howard and Mary Ann (Manders) Hess were united in marriage at Monroe Methodist Chapel in Harlan. They moved to Arizona and Howard worked as ceramic tile and marble installer and as a handyman. In 2008, Howard retired and he and Mary Ann returned to Harlan. Mary Ann passed away on April 7, 2014.
Howard is lovingly remembered by his three children, Howard “Matt” Jr. Mathiasen of Mora, MN, Jeanne Brower of Port St. Lucie, FL and James Mathiasen of Central America; step-children, Teresa (Kelley) Kennedy of Scottsdale, AZ, Linda Coulter of Le Mars, IA, Scott Hess of Avoca, IA, Jeff (Lori) Hess of Columbus, NE; grandchildren, Laura, Nicole, Sean, Megan, Brady, Larissa, Chantel, Tiarra and Shane; great-grandchildren, Sailor Jo, Bailey, Bryce, Slade, Halle, Avery, Owen, Hayden and Kendall; brothers, Eddie Mathiasen of Elk Horn, IA, Norman (Jo) Mathiasen of Harlan, IA, Ronald Mathiasen of Harlan, IA; sisters, Rosemary (Cy) Petersen of Elk Horn, IA , Ann Wendt of Omaha, NE; and many nieces and nephews.
Howard is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Ann, son-in-law, Bradley Coulter; brother, Bob Mathiasen; sisters-in-law, Ilo Mathiasen and Vivian Mathiasen; and a brother-in-law, Ron Wendt.
Memorials will be directed to the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa.
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