Dean Howell

Dean Howell, 89, passed away suddenly at St. Vincent Hospital, Billings, Montana on March 15, 2010. Dean was born in McCammon, Idaho on October 14, 1920 to Leo and Andrea (Jensen) Howell. Dean married Virginia (Ginny) Mortensen in Charlo, Montana on October 5, 1940. Dean and Ginny began their life together as poor beet farmers in Moiese, Montana. During WWII, Dean worked in a defense plant in Seattle, Washington. After the war Dean returned to farming until 1946 when he and his family relocated to Pennsylvania where he mastered the art of chick sexing. In 1951 he and his family returned to Polson, Montana. Dean traveled throughout Montana sexing baby chicks for various hatcheries. In 1958 Dean became a Montana State poultry inspector. He and Ginny traveled the state testing flocks for salmonella bacteria. In 1963 the Howell family relocated to Billings and Dean became a federal meat inspector for the State of Montana. Dean and Ginny moved to Roundup, Montana when Dean was transferred to work at Sietz and Bowers Meat Plant in 1971. Dean worked at the Roundup plant until retiring in 1985. Dean loved going to auction sales: buying low and selling high. He enjoyed taking trips with the fossil and mineral club in Roundup. In 1996 Dean and Ginny purchased a summer home in Polson and wintered in southern California at the Fountain of Youth. In 2005 Dean and Ginny returned to Billings. Dean never met a stranger and enjoyed having coffee with the guys, no matter what town he happened to be in. Dean is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Ginny. He also leaves behind daughter Peggy Pick (Steve), Billings, and sons Leo Howell (Barbara), Bellows Falls, VT, Peter Howell (Polly), Wingate, NC, and Michael Howell (Karen), Billings, MT. Dean leaves 8 grandchildren: Amber Hrubes (Allen), Glendive, MT, Jason Aerni (Leigh), Greely, CO, Heather Golder (Jeffrey), Brooklyn, NY, Judd Aerni (Colleen), Roundrock, TX, Aaron Howell, Bozeman, MT, Korrie Schauer, Billings, MT, Andrew Howell, Missoula, MT and Daniel Howell, Billings, MT: and 6 great-grandchildren: Layton Hrubes, Kristopher Schauer, Taya Howell, Penelope Aerni, Ireland Aerni and Natalie Aerni. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jensen Howell (Mary), Reed Howell (Marge) and sister Vanetta Brower (Ed). Dean was a 43 year survivor of insulin-dependent diabetes and lived a long and healthy life due to the undivided attention from his loving wife, Ginny. A funeral service will be held Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cremation and Funeral Gallery, 29 8th St. West, Billings, MT. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Grogan Funeral Home, 101 Sixth Ave. E., Polson, from 11:00 AM until 1:30 PM. A graveside service will follow at the Lakeview Cemetery, Polson, at 2:00 p.m. with Bishop Gordon Terry officiating. A gathering will follow at the Polson LDS Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, is honored to assist locally with Mr. Howell\'s arrangements.
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