Dorothy Rue (Jenkins) Howard

Dorothy Rue Howard was born on November 21, 1927, in Los Angeles, California to Delton E. Jenkins and Wilma Abbott Jenkins.  She passed on to her Lord and Savior on June 18, 2023.

She is survived by her daughter Patty Westgate (Ross), Paisley, and her Son Jeff Howard (Melinda), Lakeview.  Grandchildren:   Grady O’Connor, Eugene, Kelly Draper, Winnemucca, NV, Darrel Carter, Las Vegas, NV, Dawn Carter, Billings, MT, Jacob Howard, Lakeview, Ethan Howard, Klamath Falls and Caleb Howard, Lakeview.  14 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, and niece Kathy Lemke, Highland, CA.

Preceded in Death by her husband Jim (1995), mother Wilma Jenkins (1965), father D.E. Jenkins (1973), brother Tom Jenkins (1981), her daughter Phyllis Carter (2014), Son in Law, Don Carter (1993), and niece Wilma Byers (2018).

She came to Lakeview as a young child in the 1930’s with her parents and older brother Tom, she lived the rest of her long and full life in Lakeview. She was educated in Lakeview and graduated from High School in 1945.  She went on to get a degree in Secretarial Science from Oregon State University.

 As a teenager, she worked some at the soda fountain at Snyder and Howard’s Drug Store for Clifton and Ruth Howard, who would later become her in-laws.   She also enjoyed working in the Hay fields on the westside ranches.   In 1944, most of the young men were called to serve in the War, so the Haying work was left mostly to the girls. “There just weren’t very many men, we were the crew putting up hay. It was great fun.”

In June of 1949, she married the love of her life, Jim Howard.  She went to work with his family in the Drug Store and continued as a co-owner after Jim went to the Lord in 1995. They had a great life together working and caring for family.  Together they traveled, mostly for work and ski trips, she joined in Jim’s passion for skiing, but not so much in his passion for hunting and fishing.

She was a bit of a “drugstore” cowgirl…In 1946, she was honored to be on the Lake County Round-up court, and as a young mother, she was a member of the Lakeview Saddle Club with her horse “LillyBelle,” a gift from her father-in-law, Clifton. 

She was a passionate and loving mother and grandmother throughout her life supporting her children and grandchildren whenever and where ever she could.… Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, 4-H, horse shows, swim meets, ball games (from little league to college), track meets, and rodeos.  She was her family’s number one fan.  She also loved to watch and support the Beavers and the Ducks.  Her bridge clubs kept her close to her friends and were a favorite pastime.

She served her community in many ways over the years, she was especially proud of her many years on the Board of the Bernard Daly Fund; She enjoyed interviewing students about their college plans and watching them succeed. 

She was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church and loved to share her Christian faith with others. She lived life to the fullest and even in her final years, when not able to physically participate any longer, she never lost her love of life, and love of the Lord.

The family suggests contributions to Fremont Highlander Ski Club, P.O. Box 1204, Lakeview, OR  97630, or Donor’s Choice.

A memorial service will be held for Dorothy at the First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11:00 AM, followed by a luncheon at the church.

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