Helen L. Houston

Helen L. Houston

June 19, 1928 – May 10, 2019

Omaha — Helen Louise Houston, 90, passed away on May 10, 2019 at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, surrounded by her loving family.

Born June 19, 1928 in Denison, Iowa, Helen was the youngest child in a family with five older brothers. She grew up during the Great Depression and learned from her parents the values of thrift, honesty, and a strong work ethic. She carried these values with her throughout her life.

After graduating from high school Helen moved to Omaha for nursing school but her path changed course when she met and married her husband, the late Joseph Michael Houston, in 1947. While raising five daughters and one son she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She went on to teach for more than 15 years at Boys Town High School and Bellevue College.

Helen’s energy and enthusiasm to try new things was an inspiration to many. She devoted her time after retirement to a variety of activities. She golfed regularly. Was a devout and active Catholic. She loved travel and adventure —skydiving in Ohio and riding an elephant in Thailand were just two of the things she did after age 75.

She was a loyal member of the Republican Party, volunteering and lending a hand to local candidates for many years. And while she enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren it is possible she had two greater loves —the College World Series and Davenport Street in Omaha’s Dundee neighborhood.

Helen was a sports enthusiast and the College World Series was one of her favorite events each year. She attended nearly every game over the past 51 years. Her love for the game was so consuming that her June birthday celebration was delayed every year until after the series concluded because she was simply too busy attending games to stop and celebrate.

Davenport Street was her home from 1960 until her death. She prided herself on being “the oldest woman on the block” and loved the community and camaraderie she felt there through the years. There was no place in Omaha that she was more truly herself than on that block.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Ella (Stieren) Rohwer, and her husband, Joseph Michael Houston. She is survived by her children: Terrie (John) Ringwalt of Omaha, NE; Nancy Crawford of Omaha, NE; Margaret (Greg) Bailey of Holly Ridge, NC; Julie Houston of Omaha, NE; Michael Houston of Washington, DC; and Catherine Houston (Chuck Laux) of Omaha, NE; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many loving relatives, friends, and neighbors.

VISITATION: The family will receive friends at the West Center Chapel on Sunday, June 16, 2019 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, followed by a wake service at 5:00 pm.

FUNERAL: A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Helen’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, June 17, 2019, at St. Margaret Mary’s Church in Omaha, NE. Interment at Calvary Cemetery at 2:00 pm.  Memorials are suggested to St. Margaret Mary’s Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society or the American Heart Association.