Howard Boots

HOWARD BOOTS

Viola

Howard Boots, 87, of Marion, formerly of Viola, died Friday, June 20, 2014, at West Ridge Care Center, Cedar Rapids, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, at the Viola Methodist Church, with interment in Wilcox Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday at Goettsch Funeral Home, Anamosa.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Viola Methodist Church or the Mission of Hope.

Surviving are his wife, Velma; four children, Gary (Shirley) of Grand Prairie, Texas, Cindy (Herb) Andersen of Cedar Rapids, Brenda (Dennis) Tucker of Midlothian, Texas, and Brian (Lanette) of Robins; seven grandchildren, Angela, Joshua, Michael, Jason, Bradley, Derek and Lauren; and a great-granddaughter, Kinslee Ann.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Kathryn Whittemore; and three brothers, Bernard, Junior and Albert.

Howard Louis Boots was born Oct. 21, 1926, in Morley, Iowa, the son of Arthur and Theresa Young Boots. He received his education in the Wyoming area schools. Howard served in the United States Army during World War II. Howard was a surgical technician on a ship that brought wounded soldiers back to the United States. He returned home and started farming with his father.

Howard Boots and Velma Simmons were married March 25, 1950, in Dubuque, Iowa. The couple farmed on the Shomont Farms in Monticello for five years, near Scotch Grove for two years, then near Center Junction for seven years. They purchased their farm northwest of Viola in 1965. In 1989, they retired from active farming and moved to Marion.

Howard then spent many hours doing woodworking. Howard was a member of the Viola Methodist since 1965. He also belonged to the Springville American Legion.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at West Ridge Care Center for care and concern during Howard's last days.