Howard J. Heath, 94

Howard James Heath was brought into this wo r l d o n March 29, 1928 at the Heath Ranch in Tripp County, Millb o r o , SD, where his parents Ernest James and Hazel Edna (Romick) Heath homesteaded. He was the youngest of four children. He was born on the ranch and stayed on the ranch. October 26, 1946 he married Trula Ruby Hayford and to that marriage they raised three daughters: Roberta (Bob) Gehlsen, Barbara (John) Skiff, and Vickie (Kevin) Davis.

Howard was a man of honor, having worked hard and played hard all his life. He raised Hereford cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens, peacocks, horses, rabbits, and even had a pet badger. Squeeky met his demise after entering the chicken coup. Howard was always proud that he could pay his own way in all that he did. He did not like to depend on anyone, and it was difficult for him to ask for help. He had strong beliefs in how things should be done and stood by his principles. You never had to wonder what he was thinking as he said what he meant. He protected his reputation and expected his wife and children to do the same. He tried always to be as fair as possible. He was a man of pride.

Together, as a family, we went dancing, swimming, milked cows, and fed animals, doing what had to be done first and play later (that was the swimming, dancing, puzzles, playing cards). When they moved to Valentine in 1992, dad loved planting his petunias and had much beauty on their place with a perfectly manicured lawn. He also loved gardening, planting mostly tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and squash. He canned the tomatoes and loved sharing his crop with friends and neighbors.

Dad always said he went to high school in the front door and right out the back. Although he had only an eighth-grade education, he expected his daughters to go to college for at least one year. He wanted more for his family than what he had. He took care of his children, cooked and put-up hay while sending mom off to college for five weeks every summer to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Howard passed away January 23, 2023 at 7:15 p.m. He joined his love Trula and his second daughter Barbara, along with his parents, siblings and several in-laws.

Surviving are his daughter Roberta (Robert) Gehlsen; son-in-law John Skiff; and daughter Vickie (Kevin) Davis. Also, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Johnathan (Rhonda) Gehlsen, Paige, Isaac, Hannah and Gabe; Brandon Gehlsen and son Ethan; Kristina (Brian) Mazza, Delaney, Emery and Breckyn; Michael Skiff; Dustan (Dawn) Johnson, Tegan (Ali) and Aiden; Darren (Mary) Johnson, Kyden, Madyson and Jordan; Jenna (Matt) Prokepec, Madison and Emerson; and Tara Davis.

Services were held at the Methodist Church in Valentine Monday, January 30, 2023, with burial following at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine. Holmes Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.