Julia Ann Howell, 76, of Horton, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at the Mission Village Living Center in Horton, Kansas. She was born on November 27, 1942 in Eustis, Nebraska the daughter of Eugene and Armilda Lucas Gruber. Julia was a homemaker and a preschool teacher. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, former girl scout leader, cub scout leader, helped with the church bus, did knitting for the homeless and helped deliver meals on wheels. Julia was an excellent cook, baker and loved working with her flowers. On August 14, 1964 she married Doyle Wayne Howell in Lexington, Nebraska. He preceded her in death on October 10, 2011. She is survived by a daughter, Mary Ann (Mark) Congdon of Milan, Tennessee; two sons, Michael Wayne (Holta) of Monroe, Washington and Matthew Wayne Howell of Horton, Kansas; three brothers, Eldon Gruber of Roca, Nebraska, Bruce Gruber of Salem, Oregon and David Gruber of Molalla, Oregon; three sisters, Eugenia Hawks of Lexington, Nebraska, Verna Mae Goad of Salem, Oregon and Nancy Holscher of Bertrand, Nebraska; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Horton, Kansas. The family will greet friends on Friday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. at the mortuary. Inurnment will be at the Prairie Grove Cemetery in Lincoln, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary.  A special message may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com