Howell, Geneva

Geneva Howell, 90, of Atkins, died Saturday, June 23, 2012, at her home following a brief illness. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Atkins with Pastor Mike Andrew officiating. Interment will be in the Norway Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation also will be held at the church in Atkins from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and continue one hour before service time on Wednesday.

Memorials may be directed to the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church.

Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.

Geneva Melberg was born Jan. 2, 1922, near Norway, to Elmer and Frances (“Irene” Tuttle) Melberg. She graduated from Norway High School and attended St. Luke's School of Nursing where she received her R.N. Degree in 1943. Following the death of her mother, Geneva was raised by a loving and devoted family, her maternal grandparents, Henry and Martha Tuttle, and a very special aunt, Ruby Tuttle.

Geneva proudly served her country in the E.T.O. (European Theatre Operation) in Normandy during World War II in the United States Army Nursing Corps. Her career included services at the following hospitals: Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Md.; Beth Israel, Newark, N.J.; and Goleta Valley in Santa Barbara, Calif. She also served as an instructor for over 20 years at St. Luke's School of Nursing.

She was a member of Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church where she participated in the Ladies' Guild. Geneva was also a proud member of the American Legion. Of special interest to her was time spent with family and friends, reading and her love of nature.

Geneva is survived by her son, Stephen Howell and wife Ann (Wagner) of Atkins; her daughter, Martha, and husband Randy of Santa Barbara, Calif.; her stepson, Douglas Howell, and wife Sharon of Oxnard, Calif.; Cathy Howell of Ventura, Calif.; her grandchildren, Alyssa Howell of Seattle, Wash., Ryan Howell of Ames, Laura Giles of Saugatuck, Mich., and Jill Besamat of Ventura, Calif.; several great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

A dear couple who are close to her heart are her sister, Dolores Keiper and her husband Irvin of Atkins.

She was blessed with a loving family and dear friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Geneva was preceded in death by her three brothers, Elton who was killed in action during World War II, Milford and Clifford.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at: .

Published in The Gazette June 25, 2012.