Arthur H. Howell

1940 - 2025

Arthur H. Howell

June 17, 1940 - August 23, 2025

Our husband, father, Papa, brother and uncle, Arthur Howell, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025, after a full and wonderful life. He was 85 years old.

Art was born in Potlatch, Idaho. His family included his parents, Hugh and Doris Lucille and two older sisters. Art had fond memories of his early childhood playing and riding bikes with cousins who lived close by. His family later moved to Coeur d'Alene where he spent his junior high and high school years. He enjoyed playing football and other sports but his football career ended after his first concussion. After high school, Art attended North Idaho Junior College and soon married Bonnie Tate in 1963. Bonnie remained the love of his life for the next 62 years.

In 1964, Art transferred to the University of Montana where he received his degree in Forestry. Following graduation from college, his first assignment was with the US Forest Service in Clark Fork, Idaho. Art and Bonnie lived in Hope, Idaho which is right on Lake Pend Oreille. His later assignments with the Forest Service included Powell Ranger Station, Trout Creek Ranger Station and the Helena National Forest. After 32 years with the US Forest Service, he retired and spent the next 16 years as a contractor with the Environmental Protection Agency. While there, he worked with the Native American communities in Montana as a water systems consultant. He fully retired in 2014.

Both before and after retirement, Art was involved in his community in many ways: he taught Hunter Safety programs, trained to be an EMT, volunteered with the Family Promise program, served on various committees at St Paul's United Methodist Church and traveled on mission trips across the globe. He also played tennis and was a member of the Last Chance Tennis Association where he volunteered to clean the indoor tennis courts for many years.

Throughout his life, Art loved being outdoors in God's country hiking, biking, water and snow skiing, camping, traveling and spending time with family and friends. He remained a Montana Grizzlies fan and followed Griz basketball and football every year.

Art and Bonnie have two sons, Martin (Michelle) and Timothy (Peggy). Art loved being a father and was always very involved in their lives, playing basketball with them most evenings and attending their many soccer, tennis, cross country, track and musical events. Another highlight of his life was being "Papa" to grandchildren, Morgan, Madison, and Mason.

Art was preceded in death by his mother, Doris; father, Hugh; sister, Virginia; and infant daughter, Cindy. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; sons Timothy and Martin; three grandchildren; sister, Mary Ann Whitesitt; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, September 6, 11 a.m., at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Memorial gifts may be sent to any of the following: St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 512 Logan Street, Helena, MT 59601; Lewis & Clark Humane Society, 2112 E. Custer Ave., Helena, MT 59602; Helena Food Share, P.O. Box 943, Helena, MT 59624; or Mercy Ships, P.O. Box 1930, Garden Valley, TX 75771. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Art.

Anderson Stevenson Wilke and Retz Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT 59602

1-406-442-8520