A celebration of life for Howard Gallentine will be at 1 p.m. April 19 at New Life Christian Church in Albert Lea. The Rev. Vern Harris will officiate. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church.

Howard Albert Gallentine, 88, of New Richland passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 9, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea with his family by his side.

Howard was born July 20, 1928, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Jasper and Eva Lee (Robertson) Gallentine. He was the oldest of four children.  Howard graduated from Marshalltown High School and at the young age of 16 started driving truck. He traveled many miles as a truck driver hauling eggs, chicks and later the mail until his retirement.

Howard married Shirley (Koch) Gallentine on Sept. 21, 1947. They were happily married for 54 years and had five children. They spent most of their married life in southern Minnesota, living in Blooming Prairie for many years. They then moved to New Richland after retirement to be closer to his favorite pastime of fishing with lots of lakes in the area. Howard also enjoyed tinkering on little projects or fixing things on the cars in his garage, watching the grandkids in their sporting or school events, spending quality time with family, friends, neighbors and especially his church family.

Howard is survived by his five children, Linda (Gene) Pederson of Hartland, Steve (Maggie) Gallentine of Jordan, Debbie (Paul) Wallace of Geneva, Diane (Bill) Pfieffer of Waseca and Dan Gallentine of St. Michael;  14 grandchildren, Troy (Shannon) Pederson, Ryan Pederson, Mike (Nikki) Pederson, Matt (Staci) Gallentine, Siri (Gallentine) Brown, Chris Wallace, Brandon (Christina) Wallace, Amber Pfieffer, Wil Pfieffer, Joseph Pfieffer, Daniel Gallentine, Jr., Ashley Gallentine, Katie Gallentine and Cassie Gallentine; 10 great-grandchildren, Collin, Casey, Winter, Harbor, Carrie, Mason, Lucy, Elizabeth, Hailey and Chloe; two sisters, Shirley Sylvester of Wisconsin and Sharon Rick of Florida; and nieces and nephews.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents Jasper and Eva Lee Gallentine; wife, Shirley (Koch) Gallentine; one sister, Judy Gallentine; and one daughter-in-law, Carolyn Gallentine.

The family of Howard Gallentine wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for the kind and tender care they showed during his time there, New Life Church and Bayview Funeral Home for their support during this difficult time and lastly, to all the family, friends and many others who offered well wishes, thoughts and prayers.

Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.