Bertha Mae Howell

Bertha was born on December 6, 1930, in Miltonvale, Kansas, to Andrew and Minnie (Smith) Hoard. Affectionately nicknamed "Billy Sunday" by her mother, she grew up in a large and loving family as one of fourteen children.

On June 15, 1946, she married the love of her life, Wilbur Ray Howell, in North Branch, Kansas. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work. They later moved to Longmont, Colorado, where Bertha attended Longmont Nazarene Church and worked for Gould Filter Company. The family eventually settled in Loveland, where she attended Loveland Bible Church and worked in assembly at Hewlett-Packard until her retirement in 1994. Never one to stay idle, she later enjoyed working for Kmart before retiring for good. In her later years, Bertha made her home in Greeley, where she faithfully attended First Church of the Nazarene.

Bertha found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved fishing in the mountains, traveling, especially on her many trips to California, and spending time outdoors gardening. She was an accomplished quilter and embroiderer, creating treasured handkerchief quilts for family and friends that will be cherished for generations. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, browsing garage sales, and sharing root beer floats with friends and grandchildren. Some of her happiest moments were spent playing games with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Although she would be the first to admit that cooking was never her favorite pastime, she more than made up for it with the love and laughter she shared with those around her.

Bertha is survived by her sons, Ray Dean Howell; Michael Lynn Howell and his wife, Sally; and Larry Allen Howell and his wife, Paula; her brother, Floyd Hoard, the last surviving sibling of the family's fourteen children; six grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wilbur Ray Howell; her parents, Andrew and Minnie Hoard; and twelve siblings.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, at Allnutt Funeral Service – Macy Chapel.

A burial for family will follow at Burr Oak Cemetery in Burr Oak, Kansas, where Bertha will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband. The date for the burial is to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bloom Hospice in Bertha's memory.