Obituary of Arthur R. Howe III

Arthur Ranson “Randy” Howe, age 80 of Iowa City and formerly of Muscatine, died Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Briarwood Health Care Center.

Randy was born June 13, 1944, the son of Arthur R. Howe Jr. and Lola Folsom Howe.

Following graduation from high school in Muscatine, he attended the University of Iowa where he received his bachelor’s degree before finishing an MBA from St. Ambrose University. 

Randy spent over 30 years in Muscatine as the owner/operator of the family business Model Laundry. Later he would manage assisted living facilities for Holiday Retirement Community taking him to California and Missouri before retiring in Iowa City.

Randy was an avid alpine skier exploring the slopes from the Sierra Nevada to the Austrian Alps. On a ski trip to Michigan, he met Frances Burington, his future wife and mother to his twin sons. Randy would instill the love of skiing in his children.  

In Muscatine, he was an active member of the Masonic Lodge, KAABA Shrine, Jaycees, Rotary International, Chamber of Commerce, and MHS band boosters. Randy had a passion for Hawkeye football, spending many Saturdays attending games with friends and family.

He was a life-long congregant of the First Presbyterian Church in Muscatine and Iowa City, where he met Ila.

He is survived by his wife, Ila J. (Kennel) Howe; sons, Andrew (Lori) and John (Brandy) Howe; 7 grandchildren; sister, Jane Sievers (Alden); and uncle, John Folsom.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, and wives, Frances (Burington) Howe and Linda (Foley) Howe.

Memorial services will be held at 1pm Sunday, October 27, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City with a reception for family and friends to follow at the church.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or the First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.