Gayle Fowler

On Monday, April 21st, 2025 at 7:20 am, after spending Easter surrounded by her family at her home in Molt, Montana, Gayle Lenore Fowler departed from her earthly body and was resurrected to new life with Jesus. Gayle, a dearly loved wife, mother, and grandmother, was enduringly strong, cheerful, wise, and steadfast in her faith: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:25-26, 28). We are so thankful for the gift of time with her in these last days before her passing and the gift of her life to us.

Gayle was born on January 18, 1955, in Great Falls, Montana to Dr. Lester Fenton Howard and Louise Mathilda Burgmaier Howard. Throughout the years she loved horseback riding, backpacking, hiking, water and snow skiing, sewing, scrapbooking, and crafting.

She met Lance Fowler in Billings, Montana, where she worked as a medical lab technician. While on a backpacking trip with friends, Lance prevented her from glissading off a glacier into a field of rocks by diving to block her fall. Not the most conventional way of getting someone to fall head over heels for you, but it worked. They were married in the beautiful Paradise Valley in Pray, Montana on March 11, 1978, and started their family in Billings, Montana.

Gayle was soon busy raising four children with Lance in her dream home in the country; complete with horses, singing birds, gardening, and an outdoor life. Her generous spirit was evident as she opened her home to host family and friends. This home became not only a haven of peace for her but also a place where she recounted God's generous provision in her life and shared her faith with others. She loved her family and loved the Lord.

In her last years, as she underwent treatment for cancer, she loved to meditate on God's precious promises of deliverance, protection and salvation in Psalm 91. We are grateful to the many friends and family who prayed for and cared for her as well as the medical professionals whose treatment allowed her to miraculously live several meaningful years full of memories and life after her initial diagnosis in 2018.

Gayle is preceded in death by her parents, brother Dr. Raymond Howard, and sister Elaine Howard. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Lance; brother Les Howard; children Jeremy (Kelly), Jenty, John (Rebecca), and Jill (Zach); 7 grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was buried at the Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel, Montana. A memorial service will be held in her honor at Word of Life Church in Billings, Montana, on May 23, 2025, at 1pm with a reception to follow.

Her children prepared this statement, which was read at her burial: “Mom, we love you. Thank you for all the ways that you loved and cared for us. Thank you for choosing to be home with us when we were young children; for making many opportunities for us for play, creativity, and adventure; for allowing us to be ourselves and advocating for us. We are thankful for you and thankful that you are home with Jesus.”