Howard Ellis Misner, 68, of Cascade, Montana passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022. Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.

Howard Ellis Misner died unexpectedly on December 25, 2022 from complications associated with Long Haul Covid from which he suffered for 2 ½ years. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Virginia ("Ginny") Jamruszka-Misner, his father, Howard Misner and his siblings Lynn Escapite, Mark Misner and Janet Misner.

He was born on November 17, 1954 in Memphis, Tennessee to Sara and Howard Misner. He was a good natured, gentle child and loved the outdoors. He played basketball and football and ran cross-country track from elementary school through college. As a teenager he traveled to Colorado where he developed his love of float boats and flyfishing. Trout learned to be afraid when Ellis was afoot! He took up tarpon and bone fishing as a young man and became quite the fish stalker.

In high school he discovered downhill skiing, canoeing and kayaking. He participated in competitive and technical canoeing and kayak racing in college earning the nickname "Wild Moose." Ellis attended The University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and majored in English with a focus in literature. He memorized and recited entire lengthy poems such as "The Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll, "The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert W. Service and many more.

He had true love and appreciation for the outdoors throughout his life. He was a true Renaissance Man, accomplished in many areas including literature, music, outdoors, photography, travel, scuba diving, woodworking, hunting and training bird hunting dogs.

Ellis discovered photography at an early age and would entertain family and friends with slide shows he created and set to the music of Mannheim Steamroller and the Alan Parsons Project. His photographs were award worthy.

With friends, Ellis open-canoed and rafted the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Ellis ran 221 consecutive miles of the Colorado ten or more times; each trip requiring 21 days to complete. His favorite sayings in the Grand Canyon were "Eh, rapids is rapids" and "Running rapids and cheatin' death on the River of Doom." Ellis ran many rivers in Tennessee, North Carolina, Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Canada.

These experiences framed Ellis' love for the West. He moved to Hamilton, Montana where he worked for the Exit Company making outdoor clothing and gear. He repaired all kinds of sewing machines and was a skilled stitcher! He founded and operated Montana Wilderness Outfitters, an outdoor sporting goods store.  Ellis also taught kayaking and canoeing. Ellis became active as a downhill and cross-country ski patrol/emergency response volunteer while living in the Bitterroot Valley.

After selling MT Wilderness Outfitters, Ellis and Ginny moved to Helena where he opened "Misner Custom Cabinets and Construction." He specialized in cabinet making, wood working, building construction, interior/exterior painting, and remodeling as well as furniture building.

Ellis was an avid mountain climber and enjoyed climbing adventures with "Doc," his climbing partner of several years. He has summited North Twin, the 3rd highest peak in the Canadian Rockies as well as summitting Little Tahoma, MT Rainier, and many others.

Ellis and Ginny hiked and camped throughout the US and Canada. Together they visited over 28 countries across the world, often making life long foreign friends. Ellis was Ginny's "Dive Buddy" and when Ellis was no longer able to dive, Ginny stopped too. She was not diving without her trusted buddy. Ginny and Ellis were also a big game and bird hunting team. They bought an ocean-going fishing boat and fished in the Queen Charlotte Islands in Canada for 29 years. Ellis was always the trusted captain.

With his wife, Ellis served as board chair for the Dearborn Fire Service Area. He was a trustee for 10 years. Ellis and Ginny also served their community by investing years to secure reliable phone service in the Missouri River Corridor.

In 1986, he became a high school English teacher in Fairfield, MT. Fairfield High didn't take long to recognize that they had hit the jackpot with Ellis. He taught clear and concise communication skills via spoken and written language. He was also a master at recognizing students' good character and praising them for it which built their confidence. He taught an advanced placement English course so his high school students might receive college credit. After the first year, 100% of the students received college credit because of their qualifying scores.

Ellis coached the high school track program and his passion for teaching and supporting his students was evident. All who knew Ellis can attest to his thorough and meticulous knowledge, research, and preparation of any subject he taught, and track was no exception. His life-long outdoor adventures that required endurance, strength and experience translated well into coaching his student athletes. Many of his students became life-long friends and accompanied him on fishing adventures and white-water rafting adventures. His sharing of experiences exposed others to an expanded worldview. He built a trail of astounding adventure and memories for so many.

Ellis was very generous and could be counted on to help anyone in need. He was an avid pheasant hunter and purchased many acres of river bottom ground on the Teton River for wildlife habitat conservation; and he was a good steward of the land. Ellis and Ginny have donated the property to Pheasants Forever so that bird habitat and hunting opportunities will be conserved in perpetuity.

At Ellis' request no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Pheasants Forever (St Paul, MN) or a charity of your choice.

If there is a Heaven, Ellis will be there.