Obituary: Howard, Elizabeth V. “Beth”
Age 91
HOWARD, Elizabeth V. “Beth”
Elizabeth “Beth” V. Howard, long time St. John resident, passed away Thursday, October 18, 2012 in Colfax.
She was 91.
She was born October 9, 1921 in Billings, Montana to Perry and Mildred (Parrish) Sorenson.
She spent some early years in the small town of Pendroy, Montana where her father ran a lumber yard.
She graduated as Valedictorian of her class from the Choteau (MT) High School in 1939.
Beth was an experienced bookkeeper having worked in her father’s business and she kept books for several area businesses.
She married Norman Rosengren June 12, 1940.
He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and Beth travelled everywhere he was stationed and would usually end up cooking for an “army”.
She was a wonderful cook.
She and Norman had two boys before he died in August 1945 while flying over the hump in China.
Beth returned to Pendroy, MT with her boys.
In 1949, she married Robert G. “Bob” Howard and moved to St. John, Washington.
He became a father to her boys and they also had two children together.
She kept very busy as a homemaker and mother.
Bob began teaching in Spokane in 1972 and during the school year they lived in Spokane but always returned to St. John every summer.
He retired in 1981.
They enjoyed traveling to craft fairs and flea markets where they were often seen selling their crafts together.
They made kinetic art and jeweled trees.
She was an avid bridge player and belonged to several bridge clubs.
She was also a member of the Pleasant Valley Wednesday Club and the American Legion Auxiliary.
She was enthusiastic about sports and enjoyed watching and following the various teams.
She also loved to read and sew.
Beth is survived by her four children; Norm Howard, St. John, Bill Howard, Orlando, FL, Phil and Joanne Howard, Bothell, WA and Susan and Jay Emery, Dallas, TX; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 2004 and by her sister Kathleen.
Memorial gifts are suggested to the St. John/Endicott Schools Foundation or to the St. John EMT’s.
A graveside service will be held Monday, October 22nd at 12:00 Noon in the St. John Cemetery followed by a luncheon reception at the St. John Methodist Church.
On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com
BRUNING FUNERAL HOME, Colfax, is in charge of the arrangements.