BRUCE HOWE

Bruce Alan Howe, 90, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2023, surrounded by his family after his heart, which he gave so much of to so many people his whole life, finally wore out. Bruce was born on October 25, 1932, in Sun Prairie, WI, to Mike and Alice (Fahrenkopf) Howe. He moved to Madison, graduated from Madison East High School and then UW-Madison with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He met the love of his life, Virginia “Ginny” DeBuhr, while in college and they married shortly after he graduated in 1954. They moved to Waukegan, IL, where he worked for US Steel and the first five of their seven children were born. They eventually settled in Neenah, WI, where he worked first for American Can and then had a long career at the George Banta Company.

Bruce lived a very full, active life filled with traveling, Packer games (faithful season ticket holder since 1964, rarely missing a game right up to the end), bowling, dancing and sheepshead. Most fulfilling, though, were the ways he gave of himself to his church and community. He was involved in church as a lector and eucharistic minister, and served on many committees from building projects to the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. He organized silent retreats at the Jesuit Retreat House for over 45 years, and was dubbed “the master evangelizer” as he inspired so many people over the years to live a life of deeper faith. He was also involved in Scouting, Junior Achievement, the Knights of Columbus as a 4th degree knight, a board member of the Mount Tabor Center, ran the Rotary Club's children's games at Riverside Park every 4th of July, organized highway garbage pickup and countless other activities.

Even in his final years after moving to Island Shores, he still continued to give of himself and his time. He organized field trips, started a puzzle table, gave rides to church, led the Rosary, read for communion services and served on the Resident Council. He was always looking for ways to connect with people and brighten their days. He was very loved by both the residents and staff at Island Shores, and he loved them all deeply as well.

Bruce is survived by his seven children; Micki Fahl of Hartford, WI, Steve (Rita) of Rochester, MN, Christa (Gary) Sanders, of Menasha, WI, Jeff (Terry) of West Chicago, IL, Kerry (Elaine) of Albuquerque, NM, Dawn (Mike Wasserburger) of Broomfield, CO, and Laura (Mike) Lemancik of Oshkosh, WI, seventeen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He is further survived by brother-in-law Art Zinky and sisters-in-law Gloria Howe, Joyce DeBuhr and Diane DeBuhr. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ginny, his parents, brothers Howie, Terry and Tim, brothers-in-law Tom DeBuhr and Jerry DeBuhr, sisters-in-law Joan Howe, Mary Howe, and Alice Zinky, and son-in-law Clay Fahl.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Neenah, WI, on Sat., April 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Tabor Center (www.spiritusministries.org/mounttaborcenter), St. Margaret Mary (www.smmneenah.org/) or a charity of your choice.