Edward J. Howerter, 83, of Cozad, Nebraska, formerly of Lexington, Nebraska, died August 12th, 2012, at the Golden LivingCenter in Cozad.

Edward was born June 1st, 1929, at Big Springs, Nebraska, to Edward H. and Julia (Degenhart) Howerter. He graduated from Big Springs High School in 1947.

On November 28th, 1948, Edward married Ann Marie Lorensen at Chappell, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Chappell briefly, before moving to Bushnell where Edward managed the grain elevator. Edward and Ann Marie were blessed with four children, Greg, Jill, Jim and Diane.

In 1964, following a promotion, Edward moved his family to Lexington, where he managed the David Harum grain elevator. In 1969, Edward went to work at Hennek's True Value and later Veetronix in 1982. Edward would eventually retire in 1998; and in 2005, he and Ann Marie moved to Cozad.

Edward always had a very caring heart. He never knew a stranger and the friendships that he developed over the years were important to him. While he was very steady in his friendships, he was also quite spontaneous. He would occasionally load his family in the car without notice and go on a vacation if the mood struck him.

Edward was a creative and talented artist, spending countless hours perfecting his model trains and the picture-perfect sceneries that surrounded them. He was an avid golfer and loved to sing. When the occasion presented itself, Edward also loved to swim and water ski.

Edward was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lexington, where he had served on the Board of Trustees and sang in the choir. He was also active in the Lions Club, having served as a past District Governor.

Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Marie in 2006; son, Jim; grandson, Jamie Petsche; three brothers, Louie, Harold, and Dale; and a sister, Nona Kilgore.

Survivors include his son, Greg (Sharon) Howerter of Wichita, Kansas; two daughters, Jill (Larry) Petchse of Las Vegas, Nevada, Diane (Denny) Small of Kearney, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Joette Fuller, Jeffrey Howerter, Jared and Kyle Small, Melissa and Justin Howerter; 10 great-grandchildren with another on the way; and many other relatives and friends.

Services were held on Thursday, August 16th, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad with Pastors Todd Karges and Doug Smith officiating. Inurnment will be in the Cozad Cemetery at a later date.

Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad was in charge of arrangements.