Howard Dean Gregersen

Howard Dean Gregersen, the son of George and Thelma (Mardesen) Gregersen, was born May 25, 1930, at his parents’ home near Exira, Iowa and died October 29, 2021, at the Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa at the age of 91 years, 5 months, and 4 days.

Howard attended rural Audubon County schools near Exira then graduated from the Audubon High School. During his senior year he was crowned Homecoming King. Following graduation Howard worked as a farm hand. On February 4, 1952, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty he was stationed in France and Germany. He was honorably discharged on January 15, 1954, and returned to help operate the family farm.

On November 8, 1955, he was united in marriage to Arlene Marie Dreher at a church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They were blessed with two daughters Sherry and Leaha. They rented farms in the Audubon County for a period of time before purchasing a farm east of Audubon. They grew row crops and raised livestock. Howard and Arlene worked side by side on the farm retiring after many years of hard work. They lived on the farm, Arlene died July 17, 2017. Howard lived on the farm until he moved to the Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa in August following hip surgery.

Howard enjoyed doing yard work and working outside always keeping his lawn looking immaculate. As he got older he enjoyed overlooking his property on his four- wheeler.

Preceding him in death was his wife Arlene M. Gregersen; his parents; his brothers Duane Gregersen and Richard Gregersen; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Raymon Dreher, Louis and Valeria Dreher, and Dorothy and Stanley Mathisen.

Survivors include his daughters Sherry and husband Bill Buttler of Guthrie Center, Iowa and Leaha Greene of Atlantic, Iowa; his step-daughter Carol and husband Carl French of Manilla, Iowa; his grandchildren April and husband Joseph Hansman and family of Waukee, Iowa, Hannah Greene and special friend Keaton Claassen both of Omaha, Nebraska, his step-grandchildren Jennifer and husband Dan Behrens and family of Manning, Iowa, Eric and wife Jennifer French and family of Waukee, Iowa, and Kyle French of Cherokee, Iowa; his sisters-in-law Mildred Dreher of Audubon, Iowa and Kay Wetzel of Florida; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Tuesday morning November 2, 2021, at 10:30A.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Tim Greene, Joseph Hansman, Mark Gregersen, Don Christensen, Bill McGuire, and Greg Carter. The family will meet with friends Tuesday morning from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.