Dora was born November 24, 1924, at home on their Paradise Valley ranch to parents, J. Franklin and Lucile (Gates) Overcast. She attended elementary grades 1-8 at the two-room North Fork School and graduated as a co-valedictorian of the Chinook High School’s Class of 1942.
After attending Northern Montana College for one year, she taught at the rural Hebbleman School a few miles from home and then returned to NMC for a second year. This was followed by 4 years of teaching in Choteau Public Schools.
Dora and Stanley W. Howard were married in the Chinook Methodist Church on December 19, 1948. Their courtship of three months led to a union lasting over 65 years, until Stan’s passing on March 3, 2014.
Stan’s work brought several moves; to Hamilton, where son Doug was born in 1951, then to Bozeman, on to Townsend where daughter Jane joined the family in 1955 and back to Bozeman. The move to Bozeman enabled Dora to complete a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education at Montana State College in 1963. She taught in Dillon and later Helena. She loved the 25 years she taught, and considered teaching young children a privilege.
Volunteerism was always important to Dora. She looked for opportunities wherever the family lived. She recalled one of the most interesting and rewarding projects as being the organizer and director of a UNICEF drive for the city of Bozeman in the 50’s.
Dora was an enthusiastic, active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, her beloved teachers’ sorority, for more than 40 years. She served as state treasurer for twelve years, state historian for several years, and attended many Regional Conferences and a few International Conventions. Other memberships include Plymouth Congregational Church, Helena Friendship Force, Last Chance Gulch Corral of the Westerners, P.E.O. Chapter O, Friends of the Montana Historical Society, and Montana Retired Educators Association.
She and Stan shared interests in genealogy, history and travel. They were fortunate to be able to make a number of trips, both domestic and foreign, that allowed them to pursue these topics. Elderhostel provided continuing education with favorites being in India and Ireland.
Dora passed away on May 4, 2014 in Helena. She joins her husband, Stan; brother John and sister-in-law Cleo Overcast; brother-in-law, Fred Edwards and nephew Steven Bryant.
She is survived by her son, Douglas (Roberta), Columbus, MT; her daughter, Jane (Charles Eldridge) Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Alyssa and Adrian Eldridge; sister, Mary (Lou) Bryant, Great Falls, MT; sister-in-law, Janice Edwards, Vallejo, CA; nieces, Carol Cushman, Sue Wilkins, Sherri Estep, Susan Asinas; nephews, Larry Overcast and Russell Edwards along with many cousins.
A celebration of Dora’s life will be held at Plymouth Congregational Church, 400 S. Oakes Street, on Friday May 9th at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow the service at the church. Memorials in Dora’s name may be sent to the Montana Historical Society, PO Box 201201, Helena, MT 59620-1201, the Montana Hope Project, PO Box 5927, Helena, MT 59604 or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Dora.
Urban & Donna Roth says
Dear Jane & Doug, we just got back from Arizona and read about Stan & Dora’s passing. We both so admired your Mother and Father–they were such fine and outstanding people. We always enjoyed reading Dora’s account of your family comings and goings. We will miss her annual newsy letter. We didn’t get one last year and we were thinking it would be wonderful to drive over to see her. Alas, like so many good intentions we didn’t follow through. We are unable to join you in a celebration of Dora’s life. Please accept our sincere condolences! Warmly, Urban and Donna
Art & Clara Gilreath says
Doug and Jane,
Sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. We are unable to attend the celebration of Dora’s life on Friday.
Our prayers and condolences are with you and yours.
Myrna Ryti says
Doug and Jane,
I taught with your mom at Broadwater School for a numbers of years. She was an amazing teacher and a wonderful cohort. I so appreciated her sense of humor. Her love for children was contagious. My family and I moved from Helena in 1979 but we’ve kept in contact through Christmas cards every year. I will miss her card this year. My sincere sympathy.
Myrna Ryti
Bob Crebo says
Dear Jane and Doug…and family…I wanted you to know what a pleasure it was to spend time with your Mother, Dora…she was a friend and table mate of my Mother, Barbara Crebo…And when I was visiting…I looked forward to having lunch and dinner with your Mother…she was a very engaging and smart woman…with great stories to tell of her travels with your Father…She was a kind and gentle sole and I feel blessed to have met her…I wanted to reach out to you, Jane, since we had some good talks…but I didn’t know how to contact you in Seattle…
Just know that I am thinking of you and send my prayers…
Bob Crebo
Susan Asinas says
Dear Doug & Jane, I have very fond memories of time spent with Aunt Dora, Uncle Stan, Grandma & Grandpa Howard and of course you, in Montana. I am so sorry for your loss, I am keeping you in my prayers. I went up to see Mom for a couple of days, and she talked about her fondest memories of growing up with Uncle Stan on the farm (first in Crane, then in Savage). Mom also talked about when your Mom & Dad met (the ride home from church for the organ player), and places they went together as couples (before we cousins were born). Then she pulled out the book Uncle Stan wrote about the history of irrigation in Montana, and looked at old pictures
Susan Asinas says
Aunt Dora & Uncle Stan will be greatly missed. Love, your California cousin, Susan
Karen McMillan says
Dora taught our son, Justin in 1976. He was so blessed to have had such an amazing teacher!!! I saw Dora many times over the years and she always had such positive remarks about him. She’d say “I knew Justin was going to do great things in his life”. Well he has been very successful and it’s due to teachers like Dora. She was a wonderful woman and a fantastic teacher!!!
Ken & Dawn Overcast says
Dear Doug and Jane, We’re so sorry. Your Mom was such a wonderful woman and stalwart pillar of our family. Both she and your Dad hold a special place in our hearts. To lose them both so close together must be overwhelming. Mom’s sure and unwavering faith is something we can certainly take comfort in. We WILL see her again, but this time without all the human frailties that plague us as we grow older. May the Lord ease your pain and grief and all of those good memories flood your souls. I’m so sorry, but we just can’t be there for the celebration of her life.