Howard Henry "Howie" Obenhoff III

Howard Henry Obenhoff III passed away quietly in Missoula, Montana on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. He was known by many as Howie and by some family members and westside friends, from his grade school as Terry. He was 78 years old. Howie was born to Howard Henry Jr. & Caroline (Micone) Obenhoff, on Friday, October 31, 1947 in Glendale, California. It wasn’t his choice. It happened to be where his father was going to school with Caroline by his side. Not too long after he was born the family returned to Butte. Howie was the oldest of four children. Howie was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Joe, his maternal grandparents, Vincent Sr. and Mary Micone, his uncle Joe Micone and his uncle and aunt Vincent Jr. and Arlette Micone. Also preceding him in death were his paternal grandparents, Howard Sr. and Ida Obenhoff, his uncle and aunt, Tully and Lois Obenhoff and his aunt and uncle Mary Jane and Bill Freebourn. He is survived by his wife Janie, who was his traveling companion, his confidant and most of all his best friend. They were married 28 years. He is also survived by his sisters Holly (Kerry) Smith of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and Carol Obenhoff of Great Falls. Additionally, he is survived by his uncle Marion “Mike” and Phyllis Micone of Henderson, Nevada and nephews, Ryan Obenhoff of Butte and Chris Westall of Chicago. He is also survived by his stepdaughters Janet (Dennis) Schrock of Butte, Jennifer (Mike) Bassett and granddaughters Haley and Hanna Bassett of Omaha, NE and sisters-in-law, Barbara Williams of Butte and Shir Mauldin and Mike of Alder, Montana. Howie’s youth was spent in Butte where he attended St. Patrick and St. John Grade Schools and graduated from Boy’s Central High School in 1965. He attended Montana Tech for a short time and then enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. On his return to Butte from his active duty period and with the help of friends Bill and Mary Jane Morin, he got a job working for Northwest Airlines, which took him on his first career path. After a few years with Northwest Airlines and with the financial help of his uncle Joe Micone, he opened Caravan Travel Service, which he operated for almost 30 years. In addition to owning the travel agency, Howie partnered with Don Miles in starting Treasure State Trophies, with Lee Mueske taking over the P.O. News Stand and with Mark Rule operating Paper Moon for a time. He then went on the road working for Tri-State Wholesale, a South Dakota Flooring Company, representing them in western Montana. Howie obtained a Montana Real Estate License in 1998 and an Arizona Real Estate License shortly thereafter. He worked in the real estate business, dealing in the sale and rental of residential properties until he retired in 2020. Howie was a past member of the Montana Arts Council, appointed by then Governor Stan Stevens, Pat President of the Butte-Silver Bow Arts Foundation, Past President of Junior Achievement, Past President of the Butte Exchange Club and a board member of the Butte YMCA, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited and the Butte Library Board. Cremation has taken place and per his wishes there will be no services. We extend a special thank you to the first responders, St. James Healthcare and St. Patrick Hospital. Memorials in memory of Howie may be made to your favorite animal shelter.

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Howard Henry "Howie" Obenhoff III

October 31, 1947 - November 26, 2025