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Alice Genevieve Howell
07-20-2025

Alice Genevieve Howell, 99, passed away peacefully in her home on July 20th. Alice was born September 8,1925 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Andrew and Katherine Moffenbier Nikolas. She was one of nine children. Alice graduated from Central High School in 1943 and went to work at Jones Drug Store. When her boyfriend, David Howell, returned from his tour of duty as a US Army medic, she married him on August 3, 1946. They raised nine children on a farm northeast of Aberdeen.

Alice worked outside the home throughout her career as a mother/homemaker. She worked for the Brown County Extension office and Artz Camera Supply. She took temporary jobs delivering phonebooks and conducting the U.S. Census. For several years, she owned and ran a fireworks stand just outside Aberdeen city limits.

Then in 1978, she moved with David to Sioux Falls where she worked at Austad’s Golf. Then at Anderson News she stocked local stores with greeting cards and magazines, retiring when she was 80 years old.

In addition to raising her family and working hard, Alice’s Catholic faith was core to her being. She had her children baptized and most attended the Catholic schools. Sunday Mass was not missed. When she was no longer able to attend in person, she watched TV Mass. She also listened to and prayed the rosary nightly.

Alice found time somehow to work on projects. She won a blue ribbon at the Brown County Fair for her embroidery work creating the face of a clock that keeps time in her home today. She always made time to teach her children, grandchildren, and/or great grandchildren how to play jacks or card games, but she never let them win. You had to win to win. She loved slot machines but never wanted anyone to know that she spent time at the casinos. She enjoyed people, visiting with neighbors over a cup of coffee, having a glass of wine with friends, or sharing a meal--there was always room for one more at her table. She had a knack for making people feel at home. Or as someone said, “She was a nice lady with good values.”

Alice is survived by six children: Linda Howell, Dacono, CO; James Howell, Aberdeen, SD; Wendy (Robert) Hogan, Fernandina Beach, FL; Daniel (Debra) Howell, Mina, SD; William Howell, Blackhawk, SD; Edward (Karen) Howell, Sioux Falls, SD; Two daughters-in-law: Cindy (Terrence) Howell, Eagan, MN; Patricia (Brian) Howell, Madison, WI; 24 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, David, three of her sons: Randall, Terrence, and Brian Howell, her parents, her 5 brothers and 3 sisters. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Banquet, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 27th, 5:00 PM at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home with a time of sharing at 6:30 PM. Funeral Service will be Monday, July 28th, 10:30 AM at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home.