Family fights through house fire aftermath

A family from Lakeside is continuing to piece their lives back together after their home was destroyed in a fire on Feb. 4.

Becky Howard and her two daughters escaped the house uninjured, but lost everything inside — including their beloved family pets — to the blaze.

“It’s a little hard sometimes,” Howard said. “But you just have to keep moving forward. That’s all you can do.”

Several members of the community have reached out to the family in the aftermath of the fire, offering services, finances, clothing and more.

Howard said that she and her girls have received a donation of two storage units at Lakeside Mini Storage off U.S. 93. Howard said anyone wishing to donate items, big or small, can drop them off at either unit 41 or 43.

Items still needed are girls’ medium-sized leggings, shirts/blouses that are medium and large, large-sized pajamas and socks and shoes, sizes seven and eight.

Gift cards to various stores and restaurants also come in handy for the family as they try to “fill in the blanks” and can be sent to P.O. Box 1056, Lakeside, MT 59922.

Despite the loss the family has endured, Howard said they have tried to keep things in perspective.

“The material things we lost are just material things,” Howard said. “We have our memories. We’re safe. We just miss our pets the most.”

Howard emphasized how proud she is of her daughters as they’ve worked through the trauma of the fire. Her youngest daughter, Howard said, had a goal of finishing strong with her basketball team in upcoming tournaments. Her older daughter has taken on extra hours at her job at the local Dairy Queen.

“They’re so strong,” Howard said, “and I’m very proud of them. Very, very, very proud.”

Howard said that most of all, she wanted to express her family’s gratitude to the community that has reached out and supported them.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.