Wilda Ann Howser

Wilda Ann Howser, one of twelve children of William Harvey and Cora Ethel (Bailor) Tackett, was born in Anderson, Iowa in Fremont County on March 15, 1928. Wilda Ann grew up in the area and attended country school and graduated from Tabor High School. She attended Tabor College and later Peru State College in Nebraska where she earned her teaching degree. She taught at Pleasant Ridge country school in Rawles Township and other area country schools.
Wilda Ann and Robert LaVerne Howser were married on May 25, 1952 in the Waubonsie Church near Tabor. Their marriage was blessed with five children, Christine Susan, Roxanne Coresa, Tammy La Net, Steven Robert, and Gary Lloyd. The family resided on the Glenwood State Hospital School grounds in Glenwood, Iowa where Robert was the chief mechanic in the maintenance shop. Wilda Ann enjoyed being a stay at home mother, caring for her children and home. In later years, she did substitute teaching for a couple of years and then worked in the laundry department at the State Hospital School for 15 years.
The Howser family loved the outdoors and camping. When the children were grown, Robert and Wilda Ann could often be seen in campgrounds and at country music shows where they would share their fellowship with newly found friends and enjoy the music.
Robert and Wilda Ann moved to Malvern in 1982 in a home across from the baseball diamond. There they would sit and watch the children playing baseball. It was at their Malvern home that they shared their joy of beautiful flowers with family and friends who would stop to share stories and other conversation. Following Wilda Ann's retirement, she became active in the Foster Grandparent program at the Glenwood State Hospital School.
Wilda Ann and Robert had been blessed with 41 years of marriage at the time of Robert's death on August 21, 1993. Wilda Ann continued to live in Malvern and was a faithful member of the Family Worship Center. She later enjoyed attending the Hastings and the Malvern United Methodist Churches. She loved being with her family and grandchildren and her cat Zek. She enjoyed quilting, playing cards (especially Solitaire), fishing, and loved traveling.
In 2006, Wilda Ann moved to the Glen Haven Home in Glenwood where she passed on April 12, 2008 at the age of 80 years and 28 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert Howser; brothers, Harold Tackett and wife Gertie, Paul Tackett and wife Betty and Walter Tackett and wife Helen; sister Fern Mackey and husband Dallas.
Wilda Ann is survived by her children, Christine Hudec of Warrensburg, Missouri, Roxanne Chandler and husband Carl of Lincoln, Nebraska, Tammy Smith and husband Ron of Glenwood, Iowa, Steven Howser and wife Patricia of Pacific Junction, Iowa, and Gary Howser and wife Donnette of Hills, Iowa; brothers, Orville Tackett and wife Vera, Wilbur Tackett and wife Lucille, and Ralph Tackett and wife Carolyn, all of Glenwood, Dwight Tackett and wife Thelma of Tabor, Iowa, Edson Tackett and wife Lorna of Tekamah, Nebraska, Harry Tackett and wife Sharon of Peoria, Arizona, and sister Alice Inman and husband Bob of Omaha, Nebraska; 14 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.