Howard Paul Berens was born October 11, 1938, near Dunlap, Iowa to Henry and Rena A. (Datterl) Berens. He attended country school and graduated from Dunlap High School in 1957. He proudly served in the U. S. Marine Corp at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Dunlap. Howard married Susan Kean on June 14, 1972. The couple was blessed with three children. Howard and Sue enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and living at various places in Missouri, Texas, California and Arizona. They have lived in the Phoenix-Scottsdale Arizona area the past few years.
Howard died Sunday April 6, 2008, at Scottsdale Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 69 years, five months, and 26 days. Howard was preceded in death by his father, Henry Berens; and son, Howard Michael Berens. He is survived by his wife, Sue Berens of Scottsdale, AZ; mother, Rena Berens of Dunlap, IA; two sons, Matthew (Holly) Berens of Fort Irwin near Barstow, CA, and Paul Berens and his fiancé Michelle of Mesa, AZ.; three step children, Richard Barry of Clinton, IA, Robert (Beth) Barry of Omaha, NE and Jeanne (Bob) Niffen of Tempe, AZ; five siblings, John (Jack) (Darleen) Berens of Huntington Beach, CA, Joe Berens of Dow City, IA, Pauline (Don) Schmitz of Dedham, IA, Edward (Meridel) Berens of Dunlap, IA and Helen (Roger) Houston of Dow City, IA, 10 grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. Howard was a one-of-a-kind husband & father and leaves scores of friends scattered throughout the United States.

Mass of Christian Burial
10:30 am Friday, April 11, 2008
St. Patrick's Catholic Church ~ Dunlap, Iowa

Celebrant
Rev. Paul Strittmatter, SJ

Musicians
Marilyn Grote & Jerry Baldwin

Pall Bearers
Fritz Baldwin, Bob Barry, Jon Berens
Joe Houston, Larry Kimmen, Jay Schaben
Jim Schaben, Jr., Jim Schaben, Sr.

Military Graveside Rites
Dunlap American Legion Post #224

Final Resting Place
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Dunlap, Iowa