Janice Houdek

Janice Fern Houdek, 81, of Highmore, passed away Monday, November 27, 2017 at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.

Memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore with Pastor Kippy Udehn. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery. Visitation was held from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., Friday, December 1, 2017 with a 5:30 p.m. prayer service, all at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore.

Janice was born November 21, 1936 in Highmore, South Dakota to Jesse and Lorraine (Joyner) Fieldsend. She graduated from Highmore High School in 1954. Following the death of her mother in 1939 and her father in 1944, Janice, along with her two brothers and five sisters moved to Highmore where they were raised by her father’s sister and husband, Laura (auntie) and Jay Rath.

On September 12, 1954, Janice married Bobby Houdek in Belfield, North Dakota. To this union five children were born: Tim, Terry, Rob, Randy, and Janell. Janice and Bob owned and operated an Amoco gas station for 30 years. Janice also worked for the U.S. Postal Service for many years.

In retirement, Bob and Janice enjoyed traveling, spending time at their cabin in the Black Hills, and watching their grandkids’ activities. Janice especially enjoyed spending time with her siblings. They had an especially close relationship throughout the years. Janice was a lifelong resident of Highmore.

Janice’s memory will be cherished by her children: Tim (Cheryl) of Sioux Falls, Terry of Mitchell, Rob (Diane) of Yankton, Randy (Deb) of Highmore, and Janell Miller of Huron; grandchildren: Angela (Jamin) Ratzlaff, Marcus Houdek, Melissa Houdek, Jordan Houdek, Rachel Houdek, Derrick (Kristin) Houdek, Karsten (Rachel) Houdek, Hayden Houdek, and Landon Miller; great grandchildren: Lila Ratzlaff, Henry Ratzlaff, Lydia Houdek, and Anna Houdek; sisters: Kay Henson, Mary (Gene) Shaw, and Marlys Marlow; sister-in-law Ruth Fieldsend; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-one years, Bob on March 16, 2016; her parents; brothers: Willis and Neil; infant brother; sisters: Darlene Konrad, Laura Spargur, and Jay and Laura Rath; son-in-law Jerry Miller; sister-in-law Geneva Fieldsend; brothers-in-law: Howard Konrad, Bob Hansen, Jack Marlow, and Jack Spargur.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Janice's arrangements.