Jeannine Howell

Jeannine Rae Grau Powers Howell, age 90, died at home on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

She was born to Theodore and Emma (Neumeyer) Grau, on Sept. 4, 1934, in Omaha, NE.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Albert J. Powers, with whom she had six children and her second husband, Lawrence E. Howell, a U.S. Army Air Corps World War II Veteran and Prisoner of War who survived the Bataan Death March in 1942.

Her younger siblings Charles Grau and Judith Dare also preceded her in death in August 1982 and October 2023, respectively. Tragically, Jeannine lost her only son Michael in September 1996 and her youngest daughter, Kathleen, in August 2007.

Survivors include brother Ted Grau, Jr. (Garland) sister Jackie Jaap and many nieces and nephews. Daughters Christi Powers, Mary Colleen Bodemuller (Bob), Maureen Powers Wightman (Nate) and Jeannine “Jenny” Powers enjoyed years of living with or near Jeannie. The Bodemullers devoted nearly eight years of personal care in their Texas home before she "slipped the surly bonds of earth."

Jeannine was a beloved grandmother of Darcie Bodemuller, Ben Bodemuller (Amanda), Lindsey Totten, Rebecca Whitman (Cory), Alec and Dylan Wightman; and to a great grandchild, Kevin Totten.

Growing up on a Bennington, Nebraska farm, Jeannie enjoyed tennis and outdoor activities with her four siblings. She learned to sew, play the piano and won 4-H competitions. After earning a teaching license at Wayne State College, her first job was in a one-room schoolhouse. Later she headed to Long Beach, CA and taught elementary students with second graders being her favorite. Jeannie liked to live near her kids and grandchildren, residing in six different states, but as an Arizona resident for more than 20 years.

She traveled abroad to Canada, Mexico, France, the Netherlands and Egypt. She enjoyed trips to the Nebraska family farm, California coast, Florida, Hawaii and Alaska. Among her passions and zest for living, Jeannie loved jazz and was a consummate Scrabble player. She was an avid reader and listened to thousands of audiobooks as her eyesight failed.

Jeannie had an uncanny ability to see life as a cup half full and met life’s challenges with quiet, sweet resilience. Her humanity and empathy are an example for all. She will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, September 19th at Good Shepherd Funeral and Cremation Services, 4712 S. 82 nd Street, Omaha with The Rev. Mike Wenig Officiating.

Interment to follow at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery, 2300 S. 78 th Street, Omaha. 

Donations in Jeannine’s memory may be made to:

Macular Degeneration Association, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd. Suite 100, Sarasota FL 34232 macularhope.org 855.962.2852 or

Stroke Comeback Center, 145 Park Street SE, Vienna VA 22180-4607 strokecomebackcenter.org 703.225.5221