Norma Jean Howard

Visitation: Tuesday, July 1, with the family to receive friends from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 2:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Miles City.

Interment: will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.

Norma Jean (Combs) Howard, age 81, of Miles City passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2008 under hospice care at Shady Lane Assisted Living.

Norma was born on November 27, 1926 in Terry, MT the daughter of William A. and Edith (Mann) Combs. They lived at Whites Creek, north of the Yellowstone River and east of Crow Rock. The family moved to Little Pumpkin Creek in the Stacy area in 1930.Norma attended one year of school at North Stacy. After the death of her Father in 1933, the family moved to Miles City where she continued her education, graduating from Custer County High School in 1944.

After graduation, Norma worked for the county superintendent of schools. She accompanied her sister Marion to Austin, TX where she worked for the State Department. Norma then worked for North West Airlines in St. Paul, MN before returning to Miles City. Upon her return, she worked for Miles and Ulmer and the Knutson Theaters.

Norma married Lester Howard on July 11, 1952. The lived on a dude ranch in New York, Billings, MT, Shelby, MT, Bell Fourche, SD and finally making a lasting home in Miles City. Norma worked for Holy Rosary Hospital from 1969-1983. She was a Brownie and Cub Scout leader, belonging to the Methodist Church, Naomi Circle and Homemakers Club. She also volunteered many hours with RSVP and at St. Vincent De Paul. Family was very important to Norma. She enjoyed reading, crocheting and working cross word puzzles.

Norma is survived by her children; Wyatt and Denise Howard of Riverton, WY, Lynn Howard of Salt Lake City, UT and Mike and Lynell Denson of Broadus, MT; six grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband Lester Howard, her parents, three brothers- Bill, Bob and Earl Combs and one sister Marion Wilson.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Holy Rosary Hospice; 2600 Wilson, Miles City, MT 59301 or to the charity of one's choice. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City has been entrusted with the arrangements.