Ramonia "Monie" Christine Howard

The force that was Monie Howard was, perhaps, a little untraditional, but also a whole lot of wonderful. She valued family, tradition, and community, and she spent her life investing in all three.

Someone recently said, “If you weren’t touched by Monie, you probably didn’t live.” Although hyperbolic, there is a nugget of truth there. And if you knew Monie Howard, you probably have a story.

Maybe it was a meal she prepared, a ride on one of her school buses, a conversation at church, or a moment when she quietly stepped in to help without being asked. Serving others wasn't something Monie did—it was simply who she was.

Ramonia Christine "Monie" Howard was born on May 12, 1940, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and moved to Gunnison, Colorado, with her family in 1950. She was the youngest of four children; her older siblings are Betty Weaver, Delmar McKelvy, and Janella Tate. She graduated from Gunnison High School in 1958 and, later that same year, married the love of her life, Crandall Howard, on December 28. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and service to others.

Monie and Crandall spent their early years in Powderhorn, where they raised their three children and operated the J Bar Horseshoe Ranch and resort. She cooked for hunters, welcomed guests, and became part of the ranching community she loved so dearly.

After the Powderhorn school closed, the valley children had to be transported to Gunnison for school. Monie began what would become a long and beloved career in bus driving by taking local children to Highway 149 in a Suburban so they could catch the Lake City bus into Gunnison.

Later, after moving to Olathe in 1974, she continued driving for Olathe Schools. She faithfully served this role for many years. Additionally, over the years, she worked several jobs – at the Apple Shed, the school cafeteria, and the Olathe Variety Store. In addition to this, she faithfully volunteered for Sharing Ministries for 29 years.

Whether driving children to school, volunteering at Sharing Ministries, or helping with church events, she approached every responsibility with the same qualities: loyalty, dependability, kindness, and a genuine love for people.

But if you asked those who knew her best what they would remember, they probably wouldn't start with dates or accomplishments.

They would remember a woman who never met a stranger. A quick trip to Walmart could easily turn into a two-hour adventure if Monie happened to meet someone from Gunnison or Chickasha. What started as a simple greeting could become a lengthy conversation filled with family connections, shared memories, and enough stories to make her grandkids wonder if they would ever make it home. On the other hand, keeping up with her quick stride was nearly impossible, so sometimes the break was a welcome relief for the legs. It’s always been puzzling how someone so small could outstride almost anyone.

They would remember hours of helping her feed clothes through a wringer washer. Long after the convenience of an electric washer, the old wringer washer would be faithfully pulled out several times a year to wash the stuff that the “new-fangled” electric washers could never wash properly. Only a few hands were trapped over the years—a statistic she would probably have considered a pretty good success rate.

They would remember sitting on the patio with her, enjoying a cold Diet Coke and a cheese sandwich while talking about family, neighbors, church, and life. Monie had a gift for making ordinary moments memorable. She didn't need elaborate plans or grand adventures. She simply loved being with people.

Her faith became the defining center of her life after she came to know the Lord through a small ladies' Bible study in Powderhorn. From that day forward, her faith shaped the way she lived. She faithfully served at Trinity Baptist Church in Gunnison and later at Rosemont Baptist Church, where she taught, organized, sang, volunteered, and filled countless needs behind the scenes. If something needed to be done, Monie was usually already doing it.

Monie was loyal, dependable, genuine, and fiercely devoted to her family. She was always thinking of others and looking for ways to serve—whether it was her husband, her children and grandchildren, her church, or her community. She was the kind of woman who quietly made life better for everyone around her through simple acts of love, faithfulness, and generosity.

Monie's life was not measured by titles, accomplishments, or recognition. It was measured by the people she loved, the meals she prepared, the children she safely transported, the churches she faithfully served, the volunteers she encouraged, and the countless quiet acts of kindness she performed without ever seeking attention.

It is also measured in her legacy. She is survived by her beloved husband, Crandall Howard; her daughters, Amy Eifling and Susanne (Scott) King; her grandchildren, Phylicia (Tate) Hermanson, Blake (Lisa) Eifling, Kaylee (Steve) Vanden Hoek, Stephanie (Peter) Vanden Hoek, and Brandon (Sam Dalsing) King; and her eleven great-grandchildren, Coralee, Jaina, Sarah, Micah, Marcus, Delaney, Zane, Jaxon, Addison, Brooks, and Ainsley.

She was preceded in death by her son: Ken Howard, sister: Janella Tate, brother: Delmar McKelvy, and beloved sister-in-law: Suzy Parker

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Sharing Ministries, Inc. 49 North 1st Street, Montrose, CO 81401-3660.