Carley Ray Howard

Carley Ray Howard, 17 years old, of Pine Island, Minnesota, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Carley was born on March 13, 2008 in Rochester, Minnesota, to Zach Howard and Nicole (Breitbach) Loftus. She was a senior at Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School. Carley enjoyed learning about raising animals and showing goats and alpacas at county fairs through her involvement with Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4H Club. She was a farm girl at heart, driving her beloved 1994 Ford F150, enjoyed milking cows and doing welding projects. Carley also loved contemplating the natural wonders of the northern lights and sunsets, as well as, the antics of the local squirrels.

Carley is survived by her parents, Zach Howard and Nicole (Joe) Loftus; bonus mom, Laura Severude; brothers and sisters, Peyton Loftus, Genevieve Loftus, Aria Howard, and Hailey Howard; grandparents, Mark (Brenda) Breitbach, Tony (Peggy) Howard, Doug Severude, and Joe (Wendy) Loftus; and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her grandma, April Severude; great-grandparents; Herb and Josephine Breitbach, Ray and Francis Worms, Robert and Gladys Ullevig, and Harry and Muriel Howard.

A memorial service for Carley will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Zumbrota, Minnesota with Pastor Eric Westlake and Father Shawn Heremza officiating. Visitation will precede the service, from 3-6 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel in Zumbrota. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the FFA, Zumbrota-Mazeppa Chapter.