Joan E. Howard

June 29, 1936 - February 27, 2005

Joan E. Howard June 29, 1936 - February 27, 2005 MONMOUTH - Joan E. Howard of Monmouth, Ore. died February 27, 2005. Joan Elizabeth Griffith was born in Waldport, Ore. on June 29, 1936 to Ivan and Charlotte McReynolds Griffith. She was the oldest of three children, with a younger sister, Ida Jean and a baby brother, James Everett 'Jim'. She spent part of her time growing up in and around the Tangent/Albany area, and eventually graduated from high school in Redmond, Ore. in 1954. She attended Linfield College, then returned to Redmond, where she met her future husband. She married Tommy Howard on January 31, 1958. Together, they raised four children: Nancy, Brent, Allison, and JoAnna. Joan and Tommy lived in Culver, Ore., where she was the school district clerk. They then moved from Culver to Redmond. When Nancy was a baby, they moved to Independence. They lived in a mobile home on the same property where her step-mother, Martha Griffith, still lives today. Joan worked in a wide variety of positions ranging from baby-sitting Jay and Laurie Kenyon to bookkeeping for the then Mayfair Grocery Store to working for the County Extension. But she found her niche when she went to work for the City of Monmouth. She was very proud of her career and proud of working her way up to the position of Finance Director. After 30 years, she retired to have more time for family and civic pursuits. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, and drew incredible comfort and strength from her faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. She also loved her involvement in many civic organizations: Rotary, Beta Sigma Phi, Sable House, Thrivent Financial, Monmouth Senior Center, as well as others. But her greatest joy came from spending time with her husband, children, and eleven grandchildren, and of course, her dog, Cassie. She loved to take short trips with Tommy in their motorhome. She liked to accompany him on his deer hunting trips. Yet her favorite outings were attending sporting events to cheer on her grandchildren. She died much too early on February 27, 2005. She will be sorely missed by her loving family, Tommy; Nancy Howard and Jay Rathbone; Jeffrey, Julianne, and Jason Rathbone; Brent and Jill Howard, Tifinie and Tyler Inman, Annissa, and Chad Howard; Allison and Keith Omlid, Erik, Tanner, Rex, and Krista Omlid; Joanna and Kevin Brandt, Joshua Brandt; step-son, Don Howard-Platt; step-mother, Martha Griffith; as well as many extended family members and friends. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thurs., March 3, 2005 at Central High School Gymnasium. Reception follows the service at Faith Lutheran Church in Monmouth. Private Vault interment at Fir Crest Cemetery in Monmouth. Contributions may be made to the Joan Howard Memorial Fund at any U.S. Bank. Arrangements entrusted to Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence. Online memorial at www.farnstroms.com.