Inez Angela (Howden) Vietor died peacefully in the night on Sunday, April 3, 2016, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin, Minnesota, at the age of 90 years.

Inez was born Jan. 2, 1926, on their family farm near Brownsdale, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Ira J. and Lulu Joy (Phillips) Howden. As a child, her family lived with her grandparents, William and Inez Adele (Rockwell) Phillips. She was proud to say that she attended the “Phillips-Howden” country school until eighth grade. She also attended Austin High School.

On March 23, 1943, Inez married Robert L. Vietor. They had seven children. Inez had the amazing ability to make anyone feel welcome. She was a wonderful conversationalist, a true historian, a fabulous cook, was well-known for her famous homemade brownies and banana bread. She was everyone’s favorite grandma. She took care of many of her grandchildren, from newborns to teenagers. Sleep-overs with grandma “Inee” were the best of times. She loved listening to music, having family get-together’s, rocking babies to sleep, and always made the very best coffee.

In her last few years of life, Inez was diagnosed with dementia. Her family often struggled to understand how this disease could happen to someone who had such an active mind. She read endless books, spent hours doing crossword puzzles and could master very difficult jigsaw puzzles. She could sew curtains, take care of any mending project, embroidered endless towels and could also crochet. Many were lucky enough to be given her handiwork as gifts.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; brothers Ira, Keith and Dean Howden; sister Madeline (Howden) Sorensen; and grandson William “Bill” Blom.

Survived by Nancy (Charles) Crosby of Austin, Minnesota, David Vietor of Reno, Nevada, Joan (Rudy) Pargas of Kearney, Nebraska, Linda (Joel) Blom of Austin, Minnesota, Bruce (Lori) Vietor of Winona, Minnesota, William (Debbie) Vietor of Austin, Minnesota, and Timothy (MaryEllen) Vietor of Mahtomedi, Minnesota. Inez also had two special women whom she considered her own, Karen (Swanson) Pedersen and Vikki (Swanson) Blom, both of Austin, Minnesota. She was blessed with 17 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends as well.

There will be a private graveside service for immediate family at Greenwood Cemetery in Brownsdale, Minnesota. Please join us for a celebration of life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Austin Eagles Club. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.