Howard L. Mottet, 71, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2007 with his wife and all of his children by his side. Visitation will be held at Brosh Chapel in Solon on Friday, March 9 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon on March 10 at 10:30 a.m. with a burial ceremony at Oakland Cemetery immediately following.

His life began on a farm near Lisbon, Iowa on January 28, 1936. He attended a rural school and graduated from Solon High School. He attended the University of Iowa and returned to his father's farm prior to marrying his high school sweetheart, Jo Ann Wray, on February 6, 1956. Seven children were born to Howard and Jo Ann over the next 16 years.

Howard's career at FS/Growmark spanned 39 years as he worked from delivering gas to Regional Manager. His job moved him from Solon to Clarence, Decorah, Oskaloosa, Dyersville, and Des Moines before retiring from the working world in Madison, Wisconsin. He met and touched the lives of many wonderful friends and developed close and meaningful relationships at each of these locations. After retirement, Howard and Jo Ann moved to Chandler, Arizona and split their time between Arizona and Iowa. Howard was always involved in many worthwhile organizations throughout his life.

Howard was most proud of and enjoyed spending time with his family. He cherished the large family get-togethers of more than 35 people with all the in-laws and twenty grandchildren.  He always looked forward to those reunions and will be dearly missed. A life time of memories will be shared as the years pass by. He was looking forward to his first great-grand child this summer. Jo Ann, his beloved wife of 51 years, and children Diane (Mike) Broerman of Oskaloosa, IA; Carol (Jim) Demmer of Asbury, IA; Sheryl (Frank) Roche of Berwyn, PA; Mike (Nancy) Mottet of Victorville, CA; David (Tami) Mottet of Sycamore, IL; Lynda (Steve) McLuen of Norwalk, IA; and Karen (Ken) Shields of Castle Rock, CO will carry on the tradition.

Howard's hobbies included traveling, visiting family and friends, golf, hunting and telling stories. Those stories will be passed on to generations.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents Louis Mottet and Elnora Parsons Mottet. He is also survived by his brother George (MaryLou) Mottet of Cedar Rapids, IA and his sister Marie (Charles) Harms of Mt. Vernon, IA.

Memorial donations can be made in Howard's name to the Leukemia Society of America or Chandler Sunbird Lions Club through Brosh Chapel, 100 South Cedar Street, Solon, Iowa 52333.