Iris Nadine Howell, 94, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa.
Nadine was born October 9, 1930, to Lester Earl and Irene Helena (Duff) Hallcock at their home south of Red Oak, Iowa. Her childhood years were spent growing up in the Red Oak and Griswold area. Nadine graduated from Griswold High School in 1948. She then studied at Jennie Ed Hospital in Council Bluffs Iowa.
On September 21, 1948, she was united in marriage to James E.A. “Bud” Howell at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple opened a general store west of Griswold in Caladonia, Iowa, until the Air Force Reserve called Bud to go to Korea. Nadine traveled with him to the base in Ohio where she stayed and worked until his return from duty.
They then moved home and opened a general store in Lyman, Iowa. Along with the store they operated Wayne Feeds mobile grinding service where they would deliver and grind fresh feed to the farmers’ homesteads. In 1973, they sold the General store and feed business to Dennis and Elenor Tietz.
Together they moved to Red Oak and Bud entered real estate school in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1986, Bud and Nadine went into a new venture selling real estate in Griswold Iowa, opening Howell Real Estate. Nadine received her broker license in 1986. The following 20 years they remained in the real estate business.
During that time they enjoyed traveling on several trips abroad. On one trip to Arizona they bought a white and black Japanese Chin Spaniel; they fondly named her Neesa, their pride and joy for 15 years. Bud and Nadine were crazy animal lovers, cats, dogs, horses and cattle.
In 2003, they sold the real estate business when Bud became ill. Nadine remained on the farm near Atlantic until the fall of 2022 when she moved into town. Nadine spent her retired years donating her time to the Cass County Museum in Griswold, Iowa, she was involved in the Kiwanis and the American Legion. Nadine will be remembered for being witty, her strong-willed spunk and her love and acceptance of friends and family dear to her.
Preceded in death by her parents, husband, James E. A. “Bud” Howell, sister, Judy Elaine Adams; brother in law, Bob Kunert; and nephew, Steven Kunert.
She is survived by her sister, Jean Kunert; brother, Al and Jayne Hallcock; and several loving nieces and nephews; also, her special lifelong friend, Gerry Curtis.
A visitation with family present is planned for 1:30 p.m., Friday afternoon, June 6th, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. Attendees may process from the funeral home to the Atlantic Cemetery at 3:00 for a graveside service.
Memorials may be made to the family for later designation to a local animal shelter.
Roland Funeral Service is caring for Nadine’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
