Howard William Rowley

Missoula - Howard William Rowley died peacefully on January 5, 2024 at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Montana. Howard was born on March 22, 1937 in Conrad, Montana to Frank and Elsie Rowley. His strong, and lifelong work ethic began to develop at age 12 as he delivered papers while driving a WWII military Jeep down the sidewalks of neighborhoods in Billings. Howard graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1955 and went on to attend Eastern Montana College to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. He realized quickly that teaching wasn’t his calling and thus began his working life in the window and door business. In 1959 he married Kay Cortright and started a family. Rocky was the first born and Kelly (Colleen) one year later. After barely starting their journey as a family, Kay, a lovely, vibrant wife and mother, died suddenly in 1966. Not long after, he met and married Miriam Kraft. Together they had two children, Wendy and Brad. With four kids, Howard and Miriam enjoyed hard work and harder work recreating. Weekends spent in Red Lodge and summers at Canyon Ferry were full of time spent keeping snow mobiles, trail bikes and boats running to provide his family with fun and the fondest memories. In 1996 Howard married Marcia Bohmann, adding two more adult children to their family, Mark and Raelene. His many, happy years with Marcia were full of work, golf, playing cards with dear friends and lots of travel to bucket list destinations from Australia to Niagara Falls. Howard is survived by his wife Marcia, his children Rocky Rowley, Kelly Bruce (Ron), Wendy Melvin (John), Brad Rowley (Tom Economou), Mark Twite, Raelene Marsh (David), his grandchildren Kathryn Rowley, Ava Rowley, Corey Bruce (Kelly), Zach Bruce (Heather), Addie Melvin (Cameron Wallace), Porter Melvin, Kaleigh Williamson (Kale), Max Twite, Sofie Twite and great grandchildren Casey Bruce, Ellie Williamson and Austin Williamson. Our family would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to the staff at St. Patrick’s Hospital and at Natura Health and Wellness Clinic. The care and comfort provided by the many doctors, nurses and techs was truly extraordinary and we will be forever grateful. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. at the Orchard Homes Country Life Club in Missoula.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to AniMeals, 1700 Rankin Street, Missoula, MT 59808.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Howard William Rowley, please visit our floral store.