Obituary of Keith Kohler Howell

Now and then, God makes a giant among men. Keith Kohler Howell was one of those truly remarkable individuals who was larger than life itself and whose zeal and positivity defied his reality. Born in Salt Lake City on July 28, 1970, the middle child and only son of Robert and Ann Howell, he grew up in San Diego and loved the ocean, soccer, books and music. Keith served an LDS Mission to Guayaquil, Ecuador where he was first  diagnosed in 1991 with Multiple Sclerosis, the disease that would shape the rest of his life. 

In 1993, he married his beloved sweetheart, Cathy Weddle. She entered that marriage knowing that there would be challenges ahead, yet she chose to cast her lot with Keith.  She has been his lifeline and his constant companion for 27 years, caring for him both physically and emotionally with unwavering dedication and unquestionable devotion. Together they spent time in Utah and attended the U of U where Keith graduated in 2006 with a Spanish degree and became a lifelong, loyal fan of the Utah Utes. 

Not one to bemoan his fate, Keith did not allow his limitations to determine his outlook on life. MS may have robbed him of the ability to dance, to drive, to walk, to stand, to speak and to eat, but it was never able to steal his positive attitude, his faith, his sense of humor, his contagious smile and his constant love for his wife and family. Keith sought for, and found the silver lining in every situation. He maintained an attitude of gratitude and was the consummate example of positivity in the face of life’s challenges.

We have been blessed to have his influence in our lives and will miss his smiling face and his whole-body laughter. We rejoice at the thought of him being free to move, free to speak and reunited with loved ones long gone. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his precious wife, Cathy Howell and his sisters Mary Lyn Keene (Pat)  and Patti Cheselske (Jared), the entire Weddle Clan, numerous nieces and nephews who all adore Uncle (Squishy) Keith, and a large extended family who have loved and cherished their relationship with him. We love you Keith and we’ll see you on the other side.  God be with you til we meet again.

Memorial will be via Zoom (Covid safe).

Saturday August 15th 2020.

11:00 am MDT.

Zoom Memorial Link:

Mary Keene is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Keith Howell Memorial - Zoom Meeting

Time: Aug 15, 2020 11:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/99368809790?pwd=UVdZUUNmaC8zZVNneVIwTTk2Ni9ZQT09

Meeting ID: 993 6880 9790

Passcode: 3TeJcT

Reach out to younger family if you need Zoom set up information.

We will have a YouTube link after the memorial for those who wish to view later.