Howard E. Traweek Sr., age 90, of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, formerly of Miles City

Howard passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, Alberta on December 10, 2023 at the age of 90 years. His loving children and their spouses were faithfully at his side.

Howard was born on October 10, 1933 to the proud parents of Tom and Gladys Traweek of Baker, Montana. He had an older brother, Wayne and a younger brother, Roger. They were a very bonded and close-knit family.

He attended a country grade school named Yokely and rode his horse there and back every day. He then attended high school in Baker, Montana. During his high school years he excelled in sports, especially in football and baseball.

In 1951, Howard attended Montana State in Bozeman and played the clarinet in the Marching band. He was requested to return to the family ranch in the first fall quarter to help out at home as his older brother Wayne, was called back to serve in the Korean War. He then worked at several ranches combining, haying and calving and even worked for Montana State, measuring farmland. Howard gained considerable knowledge from all this vast experience and eventually became a cattle expert which shaped his future in the industry.

Eventually he met the love of his life, Norma Askin, (Daughter of Alva and Helen Askin – Ismay, Montana) and they were married on July 24, 1954. They went on to have 4 children: Howard Jr. (Howie), Mary, Tom and Tim, all of whom were born at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana.

Dad and Mom then moved to the TD Ranch near Locate, Montana. He managed the operation, rode horses and fed/drove cattle on 75 sections of land. While on the ranch, Dad loved to hunt deer and fish in the Powder River. Dad and Mom also loved to dance and took the entire family to all the Locate dances. Dad had a real love for all his, dogs, cats, horses and cattle alike, however rattlesnakes ended up losing their rattlers which he kept in a in a tobacco tin can for bragging rights! Those were priceless years in our childhood memories.

Dad and Mom moved to Miles City in the 60’s and Dad worked for Fort Keogh for approximately 6 years. He was then offered a life changing job in Cardston, Alberta, Canada as Director of Operations of the first Simmental ranch in Canada. Dad and Mom moved the family to Cardston, Alberta, Canada in June, 1972. It was very hard to leave family and friends behind in Montana and travel to a foreign country, however it turned out to be a very wise decision. Many opportunities developed for the entire family over the following years. In 1978, Dad and Mom moved the family to Raymond, Alberta and Dad became the Manager of a very large feedlot known as Hi-Way 52 Feeders.

During this time, tragedy struck our family as Mom (Norma) passed away on May 29, 1985 at 49 years of age of breast cancer. This devastated Dad and our entire family, a tragedy that we all still mourn to this very day.

In 1991, Dad became a Cattle Order Buyer for Perlich Auction in Lethbridge, Alberta. Dad sold his home in Raymond and moved to Lethbridge in 2008. He purchased a condo there which he absolutely loved. He officially retired a few years later when he was in his late seventies after making the tough decision to do so, as he always loved to work. Perlich Auction never wanted him to retire because of his vast knowledge in the cattle industry.

He had a 5th wheel trailer and loved to camp locally with the family and travel to the USA in the winter. He also travelled to many other tropical destinations throughout the years. He even drove his 5th wheel trailer to Alaska when he was 80 years old. This ended up being his most memorable trip ever.
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He loved his family and was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. He was a kind and gentle man and always wanted the best for his family. He especially enjoyed dining out at his favorite restaurants and spending time with his family and friends. Through the years he always supported all his kids/grandkids in their sports and activities. He gladly accepted the task of babysitting grandkids and everyone’s dogs as well. He loved playing crib and participating in a yearly NFL football pool. He was very competitive in both activities. He absolutely loved his birthdays and we celebrated them for years at his favorite Italian restaurant named Luigi’s in Lethbridge. We produced and showed new family videos there yearly as a birthday gift and they always brought tears to his eyes. Even Kermit and Linda Askin came to 2 of his birthday parties from Casper, Wyoming including his last 90th birthday party in October, 2023. He was very proud of his family, his past heritage and the heritage of his late wife, Norma as well.

Dad always said that “the best thing you can give someone is your time” and he has encouraged us to do so in our daily lives.

Dad’s ashes will be buried next to Mom in Miles City as per his wishes he made 39 years ago. We are very thankful that Dad and Mom have been finally reunited after all these years, and they are joined in eternal peace and happiness together.

Dad is pre-deceased by his parents, Tom and Gladys Traweek, Brother, Wayne Traweek, Brother, Roger Traweek and his eternal loving wife, Norma Askin-Traweek.

Left to mourn are his 4 children: Howard Jr. (Howie), Mary Newbert (Gary), Tom (Penny), Tim (Lisa)
9 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren. Also, left to mourn is Brother-In-Law, Kermit Askin (Linda) of Casper, Wyoming and their family.

Dad is dearly missed and the entire family will cherish his memory and traditions until we are all reunited together again. God Bless you Dad and rest in eternal peace.

Service Schedule

Graveside Service

11:00 a.m.

Monday August 12, 2024

Custer County Cemetery

Miles City, Montana 59301

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