Howard E. Query

Howard E. Query, 62, of Mason City, IA, died Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 28, 2015, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Rev. Rob Jadrnicek of Lifepoint Church in Wisconsin officiating. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM on Sunday, September 27, 2015, at Major Erickson Funeral Home. Inurnment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Howard Query memorial fund in care of the family.

Howard Eugene Query Jr. was born December 3, 1952, at the Burtonwood Air Force Base in Warrington, England, the son of Howard Eugene Sr. and Lilian (Bates) Query. When he was 9 months old, his family moved to Mason City. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1971. Howard was united in marriage to Mary Lou Brinkman on October 16, 1971, at the First United Methodist Church Wayside Chapel in Mason City. As a teen/early adult, Howard worked as the Assistant Manager at Country Kitchen in Mason City where he went on to manage in Des Moines, Clinton and Dubuque before becoming employed by Lee Enterprises. He began his career with the Globe Gazette as an advertising consultant and was later promoted to classified advertising manager and advertising director. He then worked for eight years as the classified advertising manager for the Quad-City Times in Davenport before returning to North Iowa. Upon his return in 1995, Howard was named publisher of the Globe Gazette. In addition to the Globe Gazette, he oversaw three weekly newspapers: the Britt News Tribune, Mitchell County Press-News and Forest City Summit. He was given the Master Editor-Publisher Award in 2008 by the Iowa Press Association and in 2011, he was named the grand marshal for the North Iowa Band Festival. Howard was active in several boards and organizations including the Lee Endowment Foundation, Muse-Norris Charitable Foundation, YMCA, Mercy Hospital Foundation, Cheer Fund, TownNews.com, Mason City Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Newspaper Association, North Iowa American Cancer Society, Iowa Barbecue Society, Mason City Economic Development Corp., and the Christmas Cheer Fund. As a cancer survivor since 1992, in the year 2000 he was the Honorary Chairman of the Cerro Gordo Relay for Life. He enjoyed spending time with his family – especially his grandchildren. He also enjoyed BBQ’s/grilling, photography, road trips, going to the movies, listening to the Beatles and collecting John Wayne, Superman & Volkswagen memorabilia. He was past president of the Vintage Volkswagen Club of America.

Howard is survived by his wife of 43 years: Mary Lou Query of Mason City; 3 children: Jason Query and wife Jenny of Lincoln, NE, Justin Howard Query and longtime girlfriend Diana Mondragon of Aurora, IL, and Jessica Romans and husband Timothy of New Boston, TX; 4 grandchildren: Reece W. Romans, Graycen C. Romans, Landen T. Romans, and Aurora B. Query; his mother: Lilian Query of Mason City; 1 sister: Julie Broome and husband Wayne of Mason City; 2 uncles: Peter Bates of England and Dean Shunkwiler of Mason City; 1 aunt: Gwen Miller and husband and Francis of Mason City; sister-in-law: Deb Wyatt and husband John of Tulsa, OK; and brother-in-law: Sam Brinkman of Royce City, TX. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; 2 grandchildren: Caitlin Query and Xander Query; father-in-law: Howard Brinkman; mother-in-law: Betty Brinkman; and step father-in-law: Devoe Hedrick.