Edward J. Howerter, 83, of Cozad, formerly of Lexington, passed away Aug. 12, 2012, at the Golden Living Center in Cozad.
Edward was born on June 1, 1929 at Big Springs to Edward H. and Julia (Degenhart) Howerter. He graduated from Big Springs High School in 1947.
On Nov. 28, 1948, Edward married Ann Marie Lorensen at Chappell. The couple made their home in Chappell briefly, before moving to Bushnell where Edward managed the grain elevator. Edward and Ann Marie were blessed with four children, Greg, Jill, Jim and Diane.
In 1964, following a promotion, Edward moved his family to Lexington, where he managed the David Harum grain elevator. In 1969, Edward went to work at Hennek’s True Value, and later Veetronix in 1982. Edward would eventually retire in 1998. In 2005, he and Ann Marie moved to Cozad.
Edward always had a very caring heart. He never knew a stranger, and the friendships that he developed over the years were important to him. While he was very steady in his friendships, he was also quite spontaneous. He would occasionally load his family in the car without notice and go on a vacation if the mood struck him.
Edward was a creative and talented artist, spending countless hours perfecting his model trains and the picture-perfect sceneries that surrounded them. He was an avid golfer, and loved to sing. When the occasion presented itself, Edward also loved to swim and water ski.
Edward was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lexington, where he had served on the Board of Trustees and sang in the choir. He was also active in the Lions Club, having served as a past District Governor. Edward was also an active member the Cozad Elks Club and Cozad Country Club.
Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Marie, in 2006; son, Jim; grandson, Jamie Petsche; three brothers, Louie, Harold, and Dale; and a sister, Nona Kilgore.
Survivors include his son, Greg (Sharon) Howerter, of Wichita, Kan.; two daughters, Jill (Larry) Petchse, of Las Vegas, Nev., Diane (Denny) Small, of Kearney; six grandchildren, Joette Fuller, Jeffrey Howerter, Jared and Kyle Small, Melissa and Justin Howerter; 10 great-grandchildren, with another on the way; and many other relatives and friends.
Services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 16, at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad with Pastors Todd Karges and Doug Smith officiating. Inurnment will be at the Cozad Cemetery at a later date.
Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m., today, at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad, which is in charge of arrangements.