Howard Duane West, 87, of Altoona, Iowa, passed away Jan. 27, 2021, at MercyOne in Des Moines, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life service was held Feb. 6, 2021, at Hope Lutheran Church in Des Moines.

Howard was born Aug. 12, 1933, at home in Boone County, the son of Morrel and Celia (Mickelson) West. In 1953, Howard met the love of his life at Waldorf College, Gloria Petersen, who he spent 64 years with. They were married on Aug. 18, 1956, in Ringsted, Iowa.

Howard graduated from Story City High School then went on to graduate from Luther College. He was an educator for 39 years at Guernsey, Keystone, Benton Community, Hubbard, and Southeast Polk schools. When he wasn’t teaching, Howard enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling. One of his favorite places was Estes Park, Colo., where many memories with his children and grandchildren were made.

Survivors include his wife Gloria; two children, Mark (Anne) West, Jeff (Ann Marie) West, both of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; six grandchildren, Ashley (Jesse) Bryan, Amanda (Josh) Jones, Jazmyn (Josh) Baker, Jordan (Haley) West, Mackenzie (Kodi) Schroeder, and Matthew West; seven great grandchildren, Willow and Westlynn Bryan, Weston Jones, Aria and Mila Baker, Gavin and Jameson West; one sister, Ramona Holm.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brother-in-law’s, Richard Holm and Bob Petersen; and sister-in-law Virginia Petersen.

Cards, letters, and memorials may be mailed to the family in care of Grandview Park Funeral Home, 3211 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50317.