Spencer Steven Howard

Ocheyedan, IA Spencer Howard, a devout Christian, art teacher, potter and outdoorsman who loved creating with his hands, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at his home in Ocheyedan, IA following a courageous battle with heart disease and lung cancer. He was 70. Memorial service will be one week from this Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 18, 2012 at the First Baptist Church in Sibley, IA, with Pastor Ian Vickers officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Thursday, October 18, 2012. The Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley is handling arrangements. Spencer Steven Howard was born on November 25, 1941, the son of Merle and Florence (Feldkamp) Howard in Canby, MN. He spent most of his childhood years in Sibley, but also lived in South Dakota and Kansas, and later graduated from high school in Bertha, MN. On July 22, 1962, he was united in marriage to Geraldine Geri Whipkey at the Indian Lake Baptist Church in Worthington, MN. Spencer then attended the University of Wisconsin in River Falls, WI, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education. Spencer taught Art from 1967 to 2006 in Pepin, WI (K-12), LeMars, IA (Jr-Sr. High), Round Lake-Sioux Valley-Brewster (Jr.-Sr. High) and Southwest Star Concept School (Jr.-Sr. High) in Okabena, MN. Howard spent his life making things with his hands, using them, and often giving them away. He filled the tables and tackle boxes of many friends and family with his handmade pottery, hunting knives and fishing lures. Spencer was a true renaissance man who found many friends from different walks of life and bonded over shared interests in art, music, outdoor pursuits, woodworking, rural life, welding, mechanics, and Bible studies. After his retirement he took great pleasure in working full time alongside his wife Geri in his studio, Fish and Loaves Pottery, renovating two farm buildings on his acreage where he created and displayed his work. He loved the Lord deeply and most recently he and his wife attended a fellowship called Journey in Worthington, MN. Spencer and Geri welcomed many people into their home over the years. He would sit in his sturdy oak rocking chair and visit with them about his love of life and his passion for the truth he had found in the person of Jesus Christ. Throughout his entire adult life Spencer shared his faith in Christ with anyone who would listen. He prayed with friends and acquaintances, encouraging them and guiding many into a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Geri Howard of Ocheyedan, IA; two children, Blaine (and Leah) Howard of Humbird, WI and Matthew Howard of Des Moines, IA; four grandchildren; a sister, Judy Roghair of Sibley, IA; and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Florence Howard; a son, Neal Howard; and a sister, Sandra Austin. The Howard family welcomes memorial cards and gifts in lieu of flowers.