Stan was born in Sidney, Montana on January 28, 1919 to Dwight L. Howard and Hazel (Booten) Howard. He grew up on the family farm at Crane, attended elementary school there and graduated from Sidney High School in 1936.
Working on and off at various jobs to pay for college and enlistment in the U.S. Army in 1943 interrupted his college education. He served as a marksmanship instructor and was with the 98th Infantry Division in the early occupation of Japan.
Upon his discharge in 1946, Stan returned to college and graduated from Montana State College, (now MSU) in 1947 with a B.S. degree in Agriculture. He received an M.S. degree from Montana State College in 1959 after graduate work at Colorado State University and Cornell University.
San married Dora Overcast in Chinook, Montana on December 19, 1948 after a whirlwind courtship. Together they raised their two children, son Douglas and daughter Jane.
Stan’s professional career with the Montana Extension Service began in 1947 as an agent in Fairfield, followed by positions in Hamilton, Townsend, Dillon and Helena, where in 1981, he retired as Lewis and Clark County Extension Agent. He also served as Extensions Irrigation Specialist for eight years, working from the MSC campus in Bozeman and traveling throughout Montana.
After retirement, Stan and Dora traveled extensively throughout the United States and to many foreign countries. Whether writing home about champagne at the Arctic Circle or wading waist high in the ocean to reach the Galapagos Islands, they always penned that “they were having a wonderful time.”
Before and after retirement, Stan was involved with many organizations. His Church, Kiwanis, Master Gardeners, and Agri-Fourm benefited from his extensive knowledge and hard work.
In 1992, with Dora’s invaluable assistance, Stan’s book Green Fields of Montana was published. He also had an article published in Montana Magazine of Western History chronicling the history of his parents’ seed corn operation. He also penned a personal account of his life in Lower Yellowstone Valley.
Stan was known for his sense of humor and was often quick with a quip, which served him well throughout his life.
He kept going as long as he could, but declining health prompted a moved to Big Sky Care Center in early 2013. He remained there until peacefully passing away on March 3, 2014.
He joins his parents, Dwight and Hazel Howard, brother in law Fred Edwards, Dora’s borhter, John Overcast and his wife Cleo, and nephew Steve Bryant.
Mourning his loss are his wife Dora, and son Douglas (Roberta), daughter Jane (Charles Eldridge), grandchildren Alyssa and Adrian Eldridge, sister Janice Edwards and her children Russ Edwards and Susan Asinas, along with Dora’s sister Mary Bryan and her husband Lou, their children Susan Wilkins and Sherri Estep, nephew Larry Overcast, niece Carol Cushman and many extended family and friends.
A memorial service celebrating Stanley’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 7, 2014 at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes. A reception will follow the memorial service in the fellowship hall at the church. Memorials in Stan’s name are suggested to Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes, Helena, MT 59601, Montana 4-H Foundation PO Box 173580, Bozeman, MT 59717-3580, or to a charity of choice.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday March 7, 2014
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oakes
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the celebration of Stan's life
Friday March 7, 2014
Plymouth Congregational Church
400 S. Oakes
Helena, Montana 59601
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Art & Clara Gilreath says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dora and family. Stan was a man of honor and an asset to the community.
cindy rater says
i work at big sky healthcare community in housekeeping and every morning stan would greet me with a smile hold my hand for a moment and tell me not to work to hard. every day stan would sit in his chair and wait for his special phone call that always made me happy, i will miss him very much. when i was packing his belonging i read his bullentin board who ever wrote those nice things around all the pictures did a great job because while i packed his pictures i learn alot about him that i didn’t know. god bless dora and her family. sincerely cindy rater
Kathleen Hamill says
Dora,
I am so sorry to hear about Stan’s death. I am keeping you in my prayers.
Kathy Hamill
Gene Quenemoen says
Dora,
I want you to know you are in my thoughts. Stan was a great friend and colleague. He was always thoughtful and supportive of our mutual efforts to improve Montana agriculture. I remember asking him, after he retired, what have you been doing lately? His response: “Am I supposed to be doing something.” We ha a good laugh and conversation. Truly a great man. I share your loss.
Susan Near says
Dora,
All of us at the Montana Historical Society mourn the loss of Stan. He was a great man – kind and caring. Together you made a great team and your unswerving passion for Montana’s history was demonstrated to us in many ways over the years. Thank you. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time – and always.
Susan Near
Raymond Buell & Kathleen Woods says
Our deepest sympathy to Dora, Doug and Jane. Stan was a great neighbor and friend for many, many years. He was a fine gentleman and he will be greatly missed by family, friends, and the community.