DENNIS HOWARD

Dennis Robert Howard, age 74, ascended to the Lord's care on Monday, March 7. He passed peacefully with his family by his side. He was born September 15, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wi; son of the late Robert and Hazel (Olsen) Howard. Dennis graduated from Custer High School in 1965 and then University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. On August 14, 1971, he married the love of his life, Marcie (Mayer) Howard.

Dennis and Marcie spent 22 years in Wauwatosa, where they had three children: Ryan, Kathryn (KT), and Adam. He worked at WH Brady, Techra, and Milprint. When Milprint moved to the Fox Valley, so did Dennis and family. He continued to work at Milprint/Bemis until 2014 when he retired the first time. At age 67, he accepted a job at Plexus — "the best job I ever had" — and celebrated a second retirement in 2018.

Dennis was a devoted father and husband. He loved making memories with his family through vacations to Door County, attending shows at the PAC, and babysitting his granddaughter, Piper. He never missed seeing his children play sports or perform on stage. Dennis was a loving friend, who enjoyed riding his motorcycle, golfing, card games, Brewer, and Packer games, and going out to eat with friends. In retirement, he had a blast touring Wisconsin and beyond. Notable vacations include Ashland where he met Bigfoot, a cruise in Alaska, and a three-week tour in New Zealand to visit daughter KT. Last August, Dennis and Marcie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

He will be remembered as easy-going, with not a mean bone in his body. Everyone loved his old fashions and corny jokes. He was a faithful member of St. Margaret Mary Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Neenah Club. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels with his wife.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Marcie; three children: Ryan (Samantha) Howard, Kathryn Howard, and Adam (Kelsey) Howard; grandchild Piper Howard; sister-in-law, Florence Mayer; brothers-in-law: Harold (Lois) Mayer, and Joe (Mary) Mayer Sr.; five nephews: David (Paula) Mayer and family, Steven (Jackie) Mayer and family, Mark (Kathie) Mayer and family, Michael (Lynn) Mayer and family, and Joe (Rachel) Mayer Jr. and family; niece/Goddaughter, Christine (Ryan) Lynch and family; niece, Jennifer (Ryan) Cook and family; and many loving cousins and dear friends.

Dennis was further preceded in death by special friend, Amund Nygard; parents-in-law: Lawrence and Mary Mayer; brother-in-law Richard Mayer; and infant Godson Gregory Mayer.

Mass of Christian burial for Dennis will be 11:00 AM on Monday, March 14 at ST. MARGARET MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 620 Division Street, Neenah, with the Very Reverend Dennis Bergsbaken officiating. Visitation will be held at the church Monday morning beginning at 9:30 until 10:45 AM, with Mass to begin at 11:00 AM. Committal will be at St. Margaret Catholic Cemetery, Neenah. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Margaret Mary Church or the American Heart Association.

Dennis' family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of ThedaCare Neenah, ThedaCare AMC, Oakridge Gardens, and his doctors.