Howard Robert Mount Sr.
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HAYS, MT- Howard Robert Mount Sr., Traveling Wolf, 70, made his journey to be with the creator on August 11, 2019, surrounded by his family. Services were held at his home in Hays, MT. A Traditional wake was on August 12, 2019 at his home. Sunrise funeral services were on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 5am. Interment will be at the Pretty Woman Cemetery.
Howard was born December 28, 1948, to John Joseph "J.J" and Bernice Mount. He was delivered by his great aunt Isabelle Gardipee-Werk in the family home. He often joked about being born exactly like Baby Jesus, in a barn and laying in a manger.
Howard grew up on the family ranch in Hays, Montana. He did a lot of cowboy work with his dad, brothers, and sisters. Being one of the older siblings, he helped his parents take care of his rambunctious younger siblings, often disciplining them as needed.
He attended school at St. Paul's Mission and Flandreau Boarding Schools. He excelled in basketball for the Mission Braves where he made lifetime friends and brothers. He graduated from St. Paul's Mission High School in 1967. Shortly after his graduation he enlisted in the US Army. While in the Army he did a tour in Korea. Years later, he would tease his own children about his "Good" kids being in Korea.
In 1969 he returned home and married his sweetheart Arlene Fluery on September 22nd. To this union came Julia Ann "Julie Rose" and Howard "Howdy" Mount Jr. They also raised their first grandchild Kristin Mount. Howard and Arlene were married for 39 years, until her passing April 24, 2008.
Howard briefly worked as a tribal police officer for Fort Belknap Tribes. He then worked many years at the Hays Lodgepole Schools as the boiler man, where he was state certified. He went to work for IHS as a driver. He enjoyed his job as a driver, everyone who knew Howard, knew had the gift to gab, that's why his driver job was so fitting.
He loved visiting, sharing his wealth of history and knowledge with whomever listened. He was proud to be a decedent of Chief Running Fisher, Rocky Mountain and Gray Wolf of the Aaniih tribe. He believed in traditional ways; he faithfully completed his commitment to the sundance and held his own sweatlodge near his home. Howard was humble, friendly, generous, loved the Hays community.
Howard was the center of our "Rocky Mountain" Mount family, he encouraged our family to stick together, learn our language, culture, history, and most importantly to love one another. He knew how to make all his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers, and sisters feel special, which often came in the form of teasing, sharing his words of wisdom, encouragement, telling you the hard truth, or being present at important events. Although, we will miss him terribly, we know he lived a great life here on earth and is carrying on his conversations in heaven with the old ones, his beloved granddaughter Kathy Jada, his wife, and the rest of the family members that journeyed before him.
Howard is survived by his daughters Julie Lamebull (Monte), Kristin (Chase) Morin, son Howdy (Des), grandchildren Howard III, Jeremiah, Hal, Shaylynn, Delmarie Bell, Ethan, AJ, Davian, and Tyler. Greatgrandchildren Everly, Halle and Jacobe. His brothers Jay Willie (Mary Lorraine), Harlan (Mary H.), Wendell Mount, Bruce (Faye)James, Nick (Wendy) Hopkins, Ed "Beebles" Nicholson. Sisters Brenda Essert, Bonnie Mount, Wanda Mount, Carla (Ray)King, Dianna (John) Allen. Aunts Caroline Brown, Barbara Longknife, and Ramona Messerly. Sister in laws Linda (Duane) Buck and Kathy Hawley. Numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene Mount, his granddaughter Kathy Jada Mount, his parents John J. and Bernice Mount, paternal grandparents Robert and Annie Mount, maternal grandparents Joe H. and Julia Doney, father and mother in law James "Kitty" and Alice Fluery, son in law Kenny Lamebull, his sister Anita Haakanson, infant sisters-Florence Rae and Linda Julia, brothers Clinton and Johnny Lee Mount, nephew Jay Thomas Allen, nieces Susie King, Michelle Essert, brother in law James "Jim" Essert and James "Jim Jim" Fluery, granddaughter Kelsey Cochran, and grandson Clinton Haakanson Jr.
We would like to thank everyone who stopped by to visit Howard during his final days on earth, especially his brothers and sisters who loved him unconditionally and did what they could to make him comfortable during his journey.
