Lois Ann Howe, 84, passed away at Saint Marys Hospital on Jan. 10, 2017.

Lois was the daughter of J. Raymond Holvik and E. Beulah (Adwell) Holvik, born on Oct. 23, 1932, in Elbow Lake, Minn. Her family moved from Elbow Lake to Minneapolis in 1943. Lois graduated with honors as the Senior Class Vice President from Minneapolis Central High School in 1950. Deferring college, she accepted the position of Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Gamble-Skogmo, Inc.

On July 10, 1951, Lois married her high school sweetheart, Herb Howe, while he was home on military leave. After Herb's discharge in 1953, she worked for Chester Freden Studios as Office Manager. They lived in Minneapolis until 1963, when Herb accepted a position at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Lois was an active leader in Rochester throughout her life. She served in the Rochester Methodist Hospital Auxiliary for more than 25 years, including a term as President. She was a member of the RMH Corporation and RMH Development Council. Lois also supported Girl Scouts, the Republican Party (working on various campaign committees and doing voter ID work), Mayor Hazama's campaign team, and Rochester Foundation. She was Co-Chair of the Plummer House Advisory Committee, a board member of Cronin Homes, Inc., a founder and first President of the Eastwood Women's Golf Association, and Stone Barn Property Association President. Lois was also part of the small business community in Rochester, being co-owner of Morning Glory Bath and Linen from 1976 to 1981.

In 1990, Herb retired and they moved to Pinehurst, N.C., and in 1995, on to Florida, first in Ocala and later Jacksonville. In 2005, Lois and Herb returned to Rochester and moved into Charter House, where Lois enjoyed playing bridge and reconnecting with old friends.

Lois is survived by her husband, Herb; her son, James R. Howe (Claudia) of Stamford, Conn.; her daughter, Susan V. (Randal) Dunn of Wellington, Fla.; her three grandchildren, Tracey and Max Dunn, and Andrea (Robert) Stack; and one great-grandchild, Jacob Stack, all of Florida. She was preceded in death by two infant children (a son and a daughter); her brothers, James and Bert; and her parents.

A memorial service for family and friends was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 20, at Charter House Chapel, 211 2nd St NW, Rochester.

At Lois' request, her body was donated to Mayo Clinic for medical education and research.

Memorials preferred to Mayo Clinic for medical research.

Published in The Post-Bulletin from Jan. 12 to Jan. 17, 2017

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