Wilford Eugene “Gene” Howe, age 84 of Riley, passed away Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Advena Living of Clay Center.
He was born on July 29, 1939, in Westmoreland, the son of Wilford and Thelma (Bridgeman) Howe.
On June 1, 1963, he married Sharon Sue Wahl at the Riley Presbyterian Church. She survives of the home.
As a boy, he grew up on the family farm southeast of Olsburg, where he was an avid hunter and learned to farm, as well as work cattle on horse, “Danny Boy”. He had fond memories of gathering cattle for local neighbors, hunting stories, and going to the one room school there.
At 17, he started working at the KSU Dairy farm, where he worked until 1973. He was also in the Army Reserves for a few years when he was a young man. In 1973, he went to work for the Kansas Department of Transportation in Manhattan as an equipment operator and retired after 44 years of working for the State of Kansas.
Gene couldn’t sit still after retirement, so he worked a lot at his son’s landscape company and tree farm, helping run parts, cultivating tree rows, mowing, and many other tasks. He helped the City of Riley Street department when needed, as well as being the official Grandpa Uber driver for his grandkids when they were young. He was a member of the Riley Presbyterian Church and enjoyed helping with indoor and outdoor projects. Gene loved talking to people, telling stories, and never knew a stranger. He will be missed by many.
In addition to his wife Sharon, he is survived by his son, Scott Howe and wife Rose of Riley; four grandchildren, Lane Howe (Maddie), Wyatt Howe (Vannah), Kori Howe and Miah Howe, and three great grandchildren. He was a loving and caring father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, Sherry Byrd, and his son-in-law, James Byrd.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Riley Presbyterian Church with Pastors Gerry Sharp and Kevin Larson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Riley Presbyterian Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.
