Duane A. Howlett

Duane (Duke) Howlett, 85, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016, at home surrounded by his wife and children after his courageous battle with cancer.

Duane was born Dec. 18, 1930, at Sand Lake, Michigan, to Derald W. and Alma E. Howlett, their only son and the eldest of their three children. Duane was raised and educated in Michigan. While attending the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Duane preformed with the University of Michigan Marching Band in the 1951 Rose Bowl Parade.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in the fall of 1951. Duane was a Korean War veteran having spent a year in Korea during his military service. Following his discharge from the Army at Fort Carson, Colorado, Duane came to Montana working as a logger and lumberman, and Montana became his home for the rest of his life.

Duane met the love of his life, Norma Hagen, at a New Year's Eve dance in Clinton. They spent the next 60 plus years together. Duane and Norma were married in Missoula on March 16, 1956, and recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. They raised their two children in Clinton. The family moved to Nine Mile valley in 1975.

Duane had many vocations in his working life. He returned to the "timber" in a related field, driving chip trucks. Duane worked for Missoula Cartage for 25 years logging more that 2.1 million miles driving chip trucks. Following his retirement from Missoula Cartage, Duane spent six years as a school bus driver first for Frenchtown and then for the Alberton schools.

Duane's hobbies always included "trains, trucks and trees." He was a Boy Scout leader, a past member of the Missoula Model Railroad Club, an American Legion member, a member of the Alberton Senior Citizens, a gardener and a forester on his property.

Duane was a caring and kind man that understood the value and artistry of hard work, the love of family and the commitment to his faith. He was preceded in death by his parents D.W. and Alma Howlett. Duane is survived by his loving wife, Norma; daughter Julie (Jay); son Guy; granddaughter Amber; great-grandson Chance; his sister Carolyn (Don) of Michigan; sister Patricia of California, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a large extended family that will miss this kind and gentle man.

Duane's memorial service is Friday, May 6, at the Frenchtown Community Church in Frenchtown at 11 a.m. Following the reception at Frenchtown, Duane's services will conclude at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. located at 1911 Tower Street in Missoula, with full military honors.


Read Duane Howlett's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.