Gerald “Red” Houzenga, 90, of Morrison, IL, died Sunday, April 3, 2016, at Resthave Nursing Home in Morrison.
Red was born September 28, 1925, in Fulton, IL, to Henry and Rena (Balk) Houzenga. He was educated in the Fulton grade schools and was a graduate of Fulton High School. He served in the U. S. Army in both the Pacific and European Theaters during WWII. On February 26, 1947, he married Marian I. “Pat” Rose in Morrison. She died November 21, 2009. Red was employed by the Bennett Box Factory in Fulton, Climax Engineering, and also Brown, Lynch, and Scott in Rock Falls, IL, and lastly for 33.5 years at General Electric in Morrison, retiring in 1985. He attended Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison and was a member of Morrison American Legion Post #328. Red was an avid woodworker. He also enjoyed the coffee fellowship at Hardee’s, and spending time with his grandchildren playing cards.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda (Tom) Ekle of Waterman, IL, and Jane (Eric) Thompson of Melvin, IL; one son, Bruce (Sandra) Houzenga of Bettendorf, IA; 12 grandchildren, Brian (Carol) Duncan, Jennifer(Chris) Akers, Lincoln (Kimberly) Ekle, Thad (Jai) Ekle, Hanneke (Jim) Raymond, Peter (Betsy) Ekle, Jason (Carrie) Ekle, Stephen (Kelly) Ekle, Adam (Nicole) Thompson, Alicia Thompson, Sara (Craig) Otta, Aaron (Sarah) Houzenga; 26 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Marlene Wessels of Fulton.
He was preceded in death by his wife; four sisters, Dorothy Sikkema, Anna Pessman, Jeannette Barr, and Clara Barr.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2016, at Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
OFFICIATING: Ken Renkes, Director of Congregational Care at Ebenezer Reformed Church, Morrison, IL
VISITATION: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home
INTERMENT: Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL
Memorials have been established to Resthave Nursing Home and Morrison American Legion Post #328.