Mamie Howe

Mamie E. Howe, age 97, of McVille, ND died September 25, 2014 at Nelson County Health System - Care Center in McVille.

Mamie was born August 4, 1917 on a farm in Walsh County near Conway, ND to John Kotaska and Elizabeth (Votava) Kotaska. A lifelong resident of North Dakota, Mamie was baptized in Pisek and confirmed in Conway in St. Mark's Catholic Church. In the late 1930s and 1940s Mamie was a waitress and cook at the Inkster Hotel and then at a café in Eatonville, WA. She also worked as a clerk in Kinney's shoe store in Grand Forks. Mamie was united in marriage to Arthur Howe of Fordville on November 18, 1946. The couple was blessed with a son John and daughter Iris. Mamie farmed with Art near Fordville for 32 years until retiring to McVille in 1978. Mamie was a member of New Luther Valley Lutheran Church, McVille.

In her early teens Mamie began her lifelong enjoyment of poetry, capturing the sights, sounds, and activities of daily life. While farming she shared her poems through their publication in the Walsh County Record and regional magazines. In later years Mamie self-published four books containing her poetry and writings about the Dakota prairie and farm life.

Mamie is survived by her husband of nearly 68 years; son John (Joann) Howe of Meridian, ID; daughter Iris (Brian) Collies of Herndon, VA; 3 grandchildren Michael Howe, Christine Hawley, and Bryan Oos; and a great-grandchild Andrew Howe.

Mamie was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Bert, Charles, Elmer, Clarence, Lawrence, and John.

Memorial Services will be Monday, October 6, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at New Luther Valley Lutheran Church, McVille, ND. Interment will be at New Luther Valley Cemetery, rural McVille, ND.

Memorials may be directed to New Luther Valley Church of McVille, North Dakota.