Myrna Karlee (Atwood) Howard

   Myrna “Karlee” Atwood Howard was born the 20th of July 1937 in Raymond, AB to Daniel “Jesse” Atwood and Helen Harding. After a brief illness, Karlee passed away on Feb. 28th, 2024 in Blairmore, AB. She was surrounded by family members and her beloved husband, Duane.

   Karlee is survived by her husband, Duane Sennett Howard; her children, Helen Hird (Doug Drain), John Howard (Sylvia), Suzanne Thiel (Leslie), Linda Taylor Dewey (Simon Dewey) Dan Howard (Marla) and Laura Coma Howard Stewart (Jim); her grandchildren, Jennifer Hird Marsden (Ian), Stephen Hird, Michael Howard, Tyler Howard (Kiersten), Sheldon Theil (Cynthia), Clayton Thiel (Kayty), Jesse Taylor, Elijah Taylor (Jazmin), Rebecca Taylor (Kels), Zackary Taylor, James Taylor (Chrystal), Tanya Taylor Cantlon (Todd), Jaden Howard (Jenna), Steele Howard (Alyssa), Rylan Howard, Marissa Patterson and Jacob Patterson; a number of great- grandchildren; siblings, Eilene Atwood (Jay), David Brandley (Nola), Daniel Harding Atwood (Deanne), Margaret Atwood (Layne), Brant Harding Atwood (Carol), Linda Jean Atwood (Wren), Jan Charles Atwood (Linda), Lanny Leroy Howard (Peggy), Lorena Shnoor (Ronald) and Linda Kay Atwood (Jan); and many nieces and nephews. She leaves behind numerous friends and loved ones who she cherished like family.

   On August 11, 1956 Duane and Karlee were married in Bow Island, AB on her parent’s farm. As the Branch President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bow Island, Karlee’s father was able to perform the marriage ceremony. On June 7th, 1967, Duane and Karlee drove their little troop to the Cardston, AB Temple where they were sealed together for time and all eternity.

   Karlee worked at an interesting variety of jobs like a telephone switchboard operator, waitress, housecleaner, clerk at the Mercantile Store and matron of the Riverview Lodge in Raymond. She worked at the Mini-Mart in Elkford and the post office in Logan Lake. She worked as a flagger and a heavy equipment operator running a packer for road construction. She also made beautiful quilts and sold them. Karlee liked to be busy and she was involved in the community organizations. She was a Leader in the Girl Guides and even became the Area Commissioner for the Guiding program. She was very active in the T.O.P.S. program where she won many awards and trophies and made some of her dearest friends. Karlee cherished her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a dedicated teacher and leader in the Primary and Relief Society programs of the Church.

   Karlee loved to be outdoors. She would load up the car with her children and as many neighbourhood kids as would fit and away they’d go berry picking in the mountains, swimming in the ice-cold lakes, tubing down the river in the summer and skiing or tobogganing in the winter. Karlee was hooked on motorcycles when they bought some dirt bikes and quickly advanced to highway bikes. After that, her and Duane had many adventures on their motorcycles travelling all over Western Canada and the USA. She loved exploring old backroads and mountain trails in their pickup truck. Karlee was always ready for her next adventure, whether it was bungy jumping at the age of 73 or taking a spin on her daughter’s Yamaha 1000 motorcycle at the ripe old age of 81. Now Karlee is off on the greatest adventure of all and having the time of her life!

   Much thanks and gratitude to the doctors and staff at the Crowsnest Pass Health Care and Continuing Care Centres for their loving kindness to Karlee. There will be a private family graveside service at a later date. Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555

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