Doreen Howie

VISITATION:

4-7 p.m., Sunday, May 19 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and from 9-10 a.m., Monday, May 20 at Central Lutheran Church, 28 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls.

SERVICE:

10 a.m., Monday, May 20 at Central Lutheran Church, 28 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls.

Doreen J. Howie, 69 of Chetek, formerly of Chippewa Falls, died Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.

She was born April 11, 1944 in Eau Claire to Ione (Jacobson) and Charles Bjerke. She graduated from Altoona High School, Class of 1962. Following high school, she worked at Fabritech in Eau Claire.

On September 17, 1966, Doreen married William Bill Howie. They resided on a farm in the town of Lafayette, where they raised beef cattle. In 1971, they sold the farm and moved to Lake Wissota. After Bills retirement, they moved to Chetek.

Doreen was an outdoorswoman. She loved hunting and fishing up north around their cabin and showing her children, grandchildren and friends how to fish. She made the best dill pickles and was a formidable cribbage and scrabble player. She lit up when her grandchildren were around and she cherished every moment spent with them. She spent halfof her life battling Rheumatoid Arthritis which ravaged and crippled her body but never gripped her spirit.Doreen recently said that she achieved herlife's dreams which were to be a wife, a mother and to have a cabin. Doreen leaves a legacy behind of how to fight adversity, how amarriage should be, and most of all, the spirit and courage larger than any musky in a lake or bear in the woods.

Survivors include her husband of 47 years, Bill of Chetek; two daughters, Malinda (Ryan) Hebert of Eau Claire, Vicki (Jeff) Blomberg of Chetek; a son, Gordon (Kris) Howie of Eleva; two sisters, Dona (Ed) Machnik of New Auburn, Janet Bjerke of Eau Claire; a brother, David (Vickie) Bjerke of Apple Valley, MN; eight grandchildren, Seth, Grace and Hannah Kreibich, Noah Hebert, Jane and Ann Blomberg, Liam and Anabel Howie; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Douglas Bjerke.

A funeral service will be heldat 10 a.m., Monday, May 20at Central Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls with the Intern Pastor Aaron Sturgis officiating. Burial will be in ONeil Creek Cemetery, town of Eagle Point.

Visitation will befrom 4-7 p.m., Sunday, May 19at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated and may be designated to the Arthritis Foundation.

AFTERSERVICE:

A funeral service for Doreen J. Howie, 69, of Chetek, was held at 10 a.m., Monday, May 20 at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls. Intern Pastor Aaron Sturgis officiated and music was provided by Christine Hitt and Sheila Guelzow. Personal reflections were given by Doreens children, Malinda Hebert, Victoria Blomberg and Gordy Howie. Interment was in ONeil Creek Cemetery, town of Eagle Point. Casket bearers were Dan, David and Kyle Bjerke, Tom and Steve Machnik, Josh Johnholtz and Lindsey Dejno. Horonary casket bearer was Doug Bjerke.