Howard Floberg Lantz, age 92, of W. Des Moines, Iowa formerly Red Oak and Elliott, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at Edgewater Retirement Community. Howard was born August 6, 1923 in Essex, Iowa the son of Axel and Alice (Floberg) Lantz. He graduated from Griswold High School in 1940 and served in the United States Army during WWII in the mechanized Cavalry. Howard was united in marriage to Betty Pelzer on April 5, 1947 in Griswold, Iowa. They lived on their farm outside Elliott from 1947 until 1992 when they moved to Red Oak. Howard loved his family, farming, feeding cattle, and was a ring man at farm auctions and several sale barns. He worked at auctions for 60 years of his life. After moving to Red Oak, Howard loved going to the Rainbow Cafe for coffee with his friends. Howard was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold where he held many offices and now is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Red Oak, Iowa. He was also a longtime member of the Griswold American Legion Post #508.

Preceding Howard in death were his parents; daughter: Cheryl Lantz; sisters: Doris Jean Larson; Alice Mae Douglas; and Norma Anderson; and brother: Axel Lantz, Jr. Left to mourn his passing is his wife of 68 years: Betty Lantz; daughters: Carolyn Lantz; Linda Roe and husband Steve; and Patricia Lantz; five grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; sister: Lucille Bailey and husband Darwin; and many other relatives and friends.

Private family services will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015 with burial of the cremated remains to be in the Evergreen Cemetery with military honors. Memorials are suggested to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church or the Red Oak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.