Nancy Arbogast Howard

Dec. 3, 1936 - Jan. 1, 2014

Nancy Arbogast Howard
BURLEY – Nancy Arbogast Howard, age 77, of Burley, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at her home
Nancy was born in Burley, Idaho, on Dec. 3, 1936, to Theodore Clyde Arbogast and Esther Lallman Arbogast. She joined her brother, Dick, and her sister, Pat. Later she became an older sister to two more brothers, Ted and Gerry. Nan graduated from Burley High School in 1955. After graduation, she met and married Price Ray Howard. Sadly, Price died shortly thereafter. Price and Nan’s only child, Rick, was born after his father passed away. After Rick married Sue McCarthy, Nan was delighted to have grandchildren, Chris and Whitney, and great-granddaughter, Maricela.
Nan met her longtime friend and companion, Jean Stelley, at Ore-Ida in 1974, and the two have been inseparable since then. Nan especially enjoyed trips to Louisiana to visit Jean’s relatives, who took her frog gigging, fishing for crawdads, and looking for alligators.
Nan began work at Ore-Ida in Burley, after which she worked for the J.R. Simplot Company for seven years. She then returned to Ore-Ida, later McCain’s, and worked there until her retirement.
Both of Nan’s parents were lifelong members of the Odd Fellow’s Lodge, and Nan became a Theta Rose when she was 13 years old. She then became a longtime member of the Rebecca’s Lodge until the Burley chapter closed. She held all statewide offices, from Noble Grand down, and enjoyed the chance to travel and meet fellow members at state conventions.
One of Nan’s greatest loves was spending time camping, fishing and hiking in the Pioneer Mountains. She spent many happy days at her family’s cabin on the North Fork of the Big Lost River and the surrounding area.
Nan will be remembered for many things, to many people. No family gathering was complete without her mayonnaise cake or potato salad. She loved Christmas and for many years was tasked with putting the lights on her parent’s Christmas tree, which took hours. She loved trips to Disneyland, a water fight, or making Christmas cookies with all of her nieces and nephews. She had a soft spot for cats and rescued and found homes for many over the years. She and Jean also enjoyed feeding the squirrels and birds on their property. Following her retirement, Nan spent many hours driving others to doctor’s appointments, bringing meals to those not well, or simply visiting to brighten someone’s day.
Nan was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Dick and Ted; and her nephew, Greg.
Nan requested no funeral or memorial. As such, friends and family are invited to a celebration of her life to be held this summer, in her beloved North Fork of the Big Lost River. Details will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, her family would suggest donations to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.