Lee Howell

Lee Howell, 85, of Albion, NE, died Sunday, June 7, 2026, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island, NE.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Levander Funeral Home in Albion, NE with Rev. Lynde Linde officiating. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery with military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post #162, VFW Post #736, Army Honor Guard, and the American Legion Riders. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Levander Funeral Home, Albion, NE with a 7:00 p.m. masonic service.

Edward “Lee” Lee Howell was born on the family farm on August 23, 1940, near Loretto, NE, to Ray David and Beulah V. (Hinkle) Howell. He was baptized and confirmed on April 24, 1980, at the Loretto Methodist Church. He attended Maple Hill District #40 through the eighth grade and later graduated from Albion High School in 1957. On December 12, 1963, Lee entered the United States Army where he served his country until his honorable discharge on November 17, 1965.

On February 11, 1967, Lee was united in marriage to Ellen Andrews at the Albion United Methodist Church. Following their marriage, they made their home in Albion before moving in 1974 to the farmstead near Loretto where Lee was born and raised. Farming was never just a job to Lee—it was his passion and a way of life that he embraced throughout the years.

Lee was a faithful member of the Loretto Methodist Church and dedicated much of his life to serving others through community and fraternal organizations. He was a proud member of the Masons and the Shriners. Becoming a Sesostris Shriner in Lincoln on December 9, 1990, was a milestone he greatly valued. Starting in 1992 he became a member and later served as captain of the Model T Patrol and thoroughly enjoyed maintaining and driving the antique vehicles in parades throughout the region. Lee was also a member and past patron of the Northeast Shrine in Norfolk and one of the “Road Runners,” volunteering his time to transport children to Shriners Hospitals in Minneapolis so they could receive specialized medical care. In addition, Lee faithfully served as secretary of the Bonanza Cemetery Association in Akron, NE, a position he held since 1978. Lee enjoyed seeing new places and making memories with family and friends. His travels took him from coast to coast, including memorable trips to Hawaii and Alaska.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife: Ellen Howell of Albion, NE; son: Art (Kalene) Howell of Loretto, NE; daughters: Kim (Gary) Hellbusch of Columbus, NE; and Becky (Kenneth) Stahlecker of Albion, NE; grandchildren: Shiree (Jeremy) King; Shawn (Jessica) Howell; Shelley (Ryan) Baldwin; Shane (Sharon) Hellbusch; Brian (Annie) Stahlecker; and Alexandra Stahlecker; 10 great-grandchildren: Makenzie, Jordan, and Evan King; Isabelle, Lucy and Evelyn Howell; Eanna, Neve and Cian Baldwin; Colton Hecht; as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Keith Howell; parents-in-law: Merrill and Pearlie Andrews; and granddaughter: Ashley Hellbusch.