Elma Loretta Howell was born May 29, 1918, to Joseph Leo and Laura (Wiese) Hashman, on a farm two miles north and five miles west of Alliance. In 1914 Elma’s parents were the first couple married in the Box Butte County Courthouse. Her grandfather Calvin Hashman was one of the county commissioners when the courthouse was built.
She married Ernest l. Howell on November 19, 1938 at Bridgeport.
Elma worked at several retail stores in downtown Alliance. She was a member of Wright Extension Club, Golden Age Club and the Eagles Auxiliary. After Ernie’s passing in 1992, she spent many hours volunteering for RSVP. Elma loved to dance, cook, crochet, sew, read and being with her family and friends.
She is survived by her son, Lloyd (Pat) Howell and daughter-in-law, Dixie Howell all of Alliance and daughter-in-law, Nancy Howell of Falls City, NE, her grandchildren, Alvie (Lynn) Howell, Jacki Howell, Kathy Wright (Dean Rippe) and Lora (Steve) Sullivan, all of Alliance, Patty (Mike) Brennan, Gillette, WY; Michael (Heather) Howell, Cedar Rapids, IA, Kevin (Tracy) Howell, Seward, NE; and Coy Hoover, Crete, NE. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren, 5 step-great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, and 8 step-great-great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by, her husband, parents, her brother, Virgil Hashman, her sister, Gladys Shimek, her sons, Darrell Lee Howell and Gordon Ernest Howell, her granddaughter, Joanna Howell Hoover, and two great- granddaughters.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 3 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel with Rev. Dr. Stephen T. Roosa officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-7 p.m. Tuesday at funeral home.
Memorials may be given to RSVP, Prairie Haven Hospice or Good Samaritan Health Care Center.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.