Margaret Howard

Visitation: Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the St. Labre Mission in Ashland.

Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. the St. Labre Mission in Ashland.

Graveside Service: Willow Crossing Cemetery

Margaret Shorty Howard, age 86, of Red Lodge formerly of Ashland passed away on July 29th, 2010 in Billings from injuries sustained from an automobile accident.

Shorty was born on October 17th, 1923 in Miles City, Montana, the daughter of William Dudley and Mae Rose (Moore) Shy. She grew up on the Shy family ranch on Otter Creek near Ashland, Montana. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Miles City and had a very active life.

She married W. B. Dub Howard on November 25th, 1949. They started their family together on 15 Mile later moving to a ranch on the Powder River and raising their three children; Miles, Billie, and Becky. Her passion for cooking followed her throughout her life beginning on the Powder River where she cooked for hunters. Shorty and Dub purchased the Cow Country Cafe and moved to Ashland in 1963. During that time she also operated the Ashland Movie Theater, ran various concession stands and worked at the sawmill. She moved to Big Timber in 1975. From 1985 to 2004 she was the personal cook for the Haas Family at the Beaver Meadows Ranch up the Boulder River. During her time with the Haas family she enjoyed meeting and cooking for dignitaries, including Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and Tony La Russa.

Shorty moved to the 400 Ranch outside of Red Lodge in 1993 and enjoyed an active retirement

She was preceded in death by her son, Miles Ellis Howard and her Husband Dub. She is survived by her two sisters Mickey Howard of Broadus, MT and Jimmie Kimp ofStevensville, MT, as well as her brother George Shy of Belle Fourche, SD, her two daughters Billie Kaye Wheaton and her husband John of Fromberg and Becky Jo Childers and her husband Todd of Casper, Wyoming and five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Visitation will begin on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the St. Labre Mission in Ashland. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. the St. Labre Mission in Ashland. A Luncheon willpreceed the ceremony followed by interment at the Willow Crossing Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to theRed Lodge EMS Volunteersof Red Lodge or the Horizon Hospice Home in Billings.