Loretta Howe

Loretta Jean Howe, 73, joined her heavenly father on Friday May 15, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center with her beloved family by her side.

Loretta was born Feb. 12, 1936, in Miles City, Montana to parents Carmella (Milly) and Lawrence Coy. She briefly moved with her family to Chicago. In 1947 her family headed to Seattle for a two-week family vacation and decided to stay. They ended up in Lynnwood (north of Seattle) in 1949. She met Marion Howe, who was stationed at the Navy base on Whidbey Island. The two were married on March 15, 1953. Letty was married to the love of her life for 56 years. They started their family in Lynnwood and moved to Granite Falls with their five boys and had two girls.

Loretta loved her family with her heart and soul and lived for her children and grandchildren. Family was the most important thing in the world to Letty.

She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, gardening, doll making and many other crafts. Loretta loved visiting on the phone, reading her scriptures and was at her best telling stories to her grandchildren. She was a mother hen and worried about the world. Loretta was a faithful member of the Church of Latter-day Saints.

She was preceded in death by her parents, twin infant brother, Lorne, and her infant daughter, Susan.

She is survived by two sisters, Elaine Bisson and Sandy Alf, and one brother, Lawrence Coy.

Loretta is also survived by her husband Marion of Columbia Falls; sons Jim Howe and his wife Cheryl of Mukilteo, Wash., Lorne Howe and his wife Terry of Columbia Falls, Steve Howe and his wife Tina of Columbia Falls, Michael "Roland" Howe and his wife Wendy of Kirkland, Wash., Darrell Howe of Missoula; and daughters Jeannie Griffin and her husband Mike, and Diana Hilton and her husband Keith.

Loretta's grandchildren are CJ, Taylor, Tiffany, Andrea, April, Melissa, Carmella, Natasha, Matthew, Nathan, Jason, Tina, Anthony, Justin, Christopher, Jessica, Jackie, Dustin, Wesley and Ashley.

Her great-grandchildren are Hailey, Kaiya, Gavin, Gabriella, Maisie, Olivia, Conner, Baylen, Korbyn, Keira, Akazie, Abby, Laicey and Erin, and three more on the way. Loretta was so proud.

She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.