Edward M Howa

Ed "Papa Eddie" Howa 1923 ~ 2013 Ed Howa, a special husband, father, grandfather and friend left us last week, January 11, 2013. Ed loved his family passionately and his friends nearly as much. We will all miss him! Ed was born in Provo, Utah in 1923 to the first two Lebanese immigrants to arrive in Utah. He spent his early years in Helper and Price, Utah. During WW2, he joined the Marine Corps. Later he married Bernice Johnson and had his first two children, Geneal and Allan. He and his young family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1950 and started the first three of his eventual 13 Arctic Circle restaurants. The Arctic Circle was one of Ed's greatest loves, and he continued to work with his son and then grandaughter and husband until he could no longer work. Ed also partnered early on in a business called "Speck's Cafe" with Speck Leazer. It was located where "Kelly's" restaurant operates now in downtown, Twin Falls. The couple had two more children- Carla and Kelly as they settled into a great life in Twin Falls. Ed was always known as a hard worker and a person that would give anyone anything that they needed... He was known as "Papa Eddie" affectionately to those who knew him. Ed was a huge CSI fan. He sponsored the "Arctic Circle Classic" basketball tournament for 12 years at CSI. You could always spot him courtside, middle seat! He often accompanied CSI teams to sports events on their buses. He gave his heart and time to many different college activities and was known to take CSI students under his wing, especially those who were struggling. He started "Papa Eddie's" concession stand at CSI's baseball field and ran it voluntarily for years. He was proudly inducted into the CSI hall of fame several years ago. Ed loved all sports. He followed his son Allan's sports activities early on and then his grandchildren's later. In his later years, he was still attending youth and college sports events. He had special friends that took him everywhere when he could no longer drive. Thank you Gary Chapel, Fred Trenkle, Skip Walker, Ben Stroud and others! He was once given the honor of being "Grand Marshall" for a Twin Falls High School homecoming parade. Ed's last days at Ashley Manor were tough as his Alzheimer's progressed, but Ed tried hard to find the humor in each situation. Many thanks to Linda and crew at Ashley Manor and to Hospice Visions, both organizations showed much love and care. We couldn't have done it without you! Ed loved new cars, and enjoyed making a "good deal" on a car at Theisen Motors... he loved to dance, especially with Bernice his wife... he loved playing cards... he loved a good time, loved to party, and did it without alcohol... he loved "bummin around!"... he loved his friends, his "pals", and wanted to make them feel special... he loved hats and shoes, he always said that you "knew a man by his shoes"... he had a special energy, and an unequaled zest for life- always with plenty of humor... he didn't want to leave, and he fought it hard... but, he has left us- "see you pal!" Ed is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, John, Joseph and James Howa, and sister, Mary Louise Howa Ghirardelli. Surviving Ed is his loving wife of 63 years, Bernice J. Howa; his son, Allan (Cindy) Howa; three daughters, Geneal Howa Thompson; Carla Howa Robertson (Randy Pooler) and Kelly Howa; grandchildren, Nathan Robertson, Jacob Robertson, Cy Robertson, Jason Thompson, Carly Howa Hunzeker, Joshua E. Howa, Amy Howa, Eddiann Thompson and Nathan Salmans, and by his great grandchildren, Nicklaus, Alexander and Zachary Hunzeker, Cooper & Addison Howa, Jillian, Mazzie, & Lux Thompson and Jordyn & Dominique Robertson. Visitation for Ed will be held Friday January 18th from 5:00P.M. -7:00 P.M. at the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls; At 7:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home, Vigil Services will be held. The funeral will be held on Saturday January 19th at 11:00 A.M. at St. Jerome's Catholic Church 216 2nd Avenue East Jerome, ID 83338 In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society P.O. Box 4527 New York, NY 10163. All services and arrangements are under the direction of the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.