Lois Houston

Lois Ellen Houston, 77, died on Monday, July 25, 2011 in Lee’s Summit, MO. Formerly a resident of Lamoni, Iowa, Lois came to Independence, MO after graduating from Graceland College in 1953 and began employment as a secretary in the Community of Christ (RLDS) offices. While in Independence, she met and married Oliver “Ollie” C. Houston and they moved to Lamoni, where Ollie taught music at Graceland and Lois served as a teaching assistant (Preceptor) in the business department. Born in Ottawa, Illinois on November 13, 1933, Lois grew up on farms in Miller and Mission townships where many fellow Norwegian immigrant families resided. She attended one-room schools and graduated from Serena, Illinois High School in 1951. After marrying, she completed a B.A. Degree in Business Education in 1965 and taught at Lamoni Community High School for two years. Her professional career shifted to management after her two children were in school, and in 1975 she was named Executive Director of the Area XIV Agency on Aging, which provides services to seniors for meals and transportation and heath needs. She was especially pleased to have worked with community and church leaders in writing a grant and obtaining funding for the Crown Colony Housing and Meal Center Project in Lamoni, which was one of ten national projects. Lois also initiated the Southern Iowa Trolley System in the seven-county area. In spite of a busy work and commuting schedule, Lois gave the highest priority to family. She managed to support her children and spouse in their activities, which often involved driving many extra miles beyond the 110-mile round trip from Lamoni to her Creston office. In three decades of commuting she drove over 800,000 miles. Throughout her life Lois’ friends and family and caregivers commented on her beautiful smile and pleasant demeanor. She was a model of motherhood and the dearest companion, sister and friend. Many co-workers in Iowa who worked with her in the field of aging were her treasured colleagues. Lois is survived by her husband of 55 years, Oliver “Ollie” Houston of John Knox Village; son, Todd A. Houston and wife Joanne Blanchfield of Brisbane, Australia; daughter, Tiffany Houston Wilkinson and husband Jeremy of Kansas City, MO; grandsons, Cooper D. and Quincy G. Wilkinson; granddaughter, Emily Ellen Houston; two brothers, Wayne (Wilda) Britton of Independence, MO, Roger Britton of Arizona; one sister, MarJean (Robert) Shute also of Arizona; four nieces and their families Kelly Britton, Dr. Michelle (Scott) Britton-Mehlisch, Kari (Jeff) Simon, Staci (Tim) Marshall; six grand-nieces; two grand nephews; and several cousins in her home area in Illinois. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Alta C. (Williamson) Britton and W. Allen Britton; several aunts and uncles; and one grandson, Francis Houston. A visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, at the Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 29, at Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa. A memorial service is planned for a later date.