Mabel "Blondie" Howard, age 88 of St. Joseph, formerly of Glenwood, died Sunday, June 15, 2014 at her home.  A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, June 21st, at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood with Chaplain Ginger Beck officiating.  Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:30 P.M. at the funeral home and continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday.  Inurnment will be in the Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery.  Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. Mabel "Blondie" Ila Swanson, daughter of John E. and Mabel (Hinkle) Swanson, was born on April 18, 1926 in Des Moines, IA.  She grew up on a farm near Dunnell, MN, where she attended country school and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  On December 15, 1946, she was united in marriage to Norman L. Howard in southern Minnesota.  The two lived in several locations before settling in Glenwood on Lake Minnewaska. Blondie was a homemaker and active on the Waterama Pontoon Parade committee.  She was honored as Waterama Pontoon Parade Marshall in 1981 and was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and a past president and member of the American Legion Auxiliary.  In July of 1977, she was named Citizen of the Month by the Glenwood Jaycees.  Blondie enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, trips to the casino, reading the tabloids, playing the lottery and pull tabs.  She was also very proud of her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After 50 years on Lake Minnewaska in Glenwood, Blondie moved to St. Joseph, MN, to be near family.  Blondie passed away at her home in St. Joseph on June 15, 2014, having lived to the age of 88.  She will be remembered for her sense of humor and her ability to enjoy life. Blondie is survived by her daughter, Geri Howard of St. Joseph, MN; two granddaughters, Hope (Bill) Kopp of Mendota Heights, MN, and Kim (Kevin) Cole of Sartell, MN; two great-grandsons, Dylan and Mitchel Bidleman, as well as many relatives in the Swanson and Howard families. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Howard in May of 1974 and a fiancé, Bob Kling in October of 2005.