Alvina Morton

Alvina (Bohle) Howe Morton, 95, of Baker, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2003 at the Fallon Medical Center. She was born May 21, 1908 in Hildendorf (Guldendorf) near Odessa, Russia, the daughter of Heinrich and Dorothea (Pfeifle) Bohle. At age two, Alvina immigrated to the United States along with her parents, four brothers and two sisters. They settled in Artas, SD, and then moved to Montana when Dorothea died. The family lived northeast of Plevna in the Pleasant Valley Community where she attended the Clark school. The family later moved into Plevna. Alvina worked there and eventually worked in McIntosh, SD?an experience filled with many fond memories which she shared through the years. Two years later, she returned to Plevna and was married to Seibert Westly Howe. Most of their married life was spent at Westmore where five children were raised. Seibert died in January of 1964. Alvina then moved to Baker where she operated the Montana State Liquor Store for five years, then worked at Eilik?s Ready Wear and Exclusive Dress Shop. Both jobs brought immense satisfaction to her. She found great interest in refurbishing dolls from garage sales and dumps. Many sources (thanks to friends and grandkids) resulted in more than 300 original dress/clothing designs which she displayed proudly in her home. In 1965, Alvina married Robert ?Bob? Morton. They lived in Baker until Bob?s death in 1989. She continued to live in her home until 2002 when she moved into Quality Personal Care and lived there until her death. Alvina always felt blessed that she had two wonderful husbands and five children. Of course, she bragged about her grandchildren and their accomplishments. Each was her ?pride and joy? at the moment of sharing. Cards were a great love as well. Pinochle, whist and in later years hand and foot filled many hours with pleasure for Alvina and her friends and family. 3 in 1 was a very important social activity for many years. Preceding her in death are her parents, her two husbands, Seibert Howe and Bob Morton; brothers: Fred, Theodore, William and Walter; sisters, Josephine and Magdalene; and a grandson, Seibert Lyle Howe. Surviving Alvina are her beloved children: Leonard (Jeanette) Howe of Tacoma, WA, Donald (Ruby) Howe of Billings, Jerry (Jean) Howe of Mission Viejo, CA, Audrey (Melvin) Hill of Lambert, and Stan Howe of Helena; fourteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; special step-daughters: Betty (Chuck) Hayes of Cowley, WY, Joyce Scott of California, Edith Bridgewater of Cowley, WY and Jean (Robert) Lutts of Carlyle; thirteen step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. ?Mom, you have been our ?pride and joy? and know that you now are in your chosen final home. ? Special thanks to everyone who provided so much wonderful care to Mom while she resided at Quality Personal Care. Memorials may be donated to the American Diabetes Association and/or the American Heart Foundation. A Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 10 AM at the Baker Community Church. Visitation hours will begin Tuesday, Jan. 6, from 9 AM until 9 PM at Stevenson Funeral Home. A luncheon will be served immediately following the service down in the church reception hall. Burial will take place at the Howe family plot in Plevna Community Cemetery. Stevenson Funeral Homes, Inc. of Baker and Ekalaka are in charge of the arrangements. Remembrance and condolences may be shared with the family on-line at www. stevensonfuneralhome. com.


Burial Date: January 7, 2004
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral: Wednesday, Baker Community Church