Ethel E. Houtz

Ethel Edna Houtz passed away on May 31st, 2023. She was the daughter of Hosea and Pearl Waldington. She was born July 30, 1926 in Kansas City, Kansas. She graduated from Ward High School in 1944. She met Bill shortly after he returned from World War II at the Alta Vista Cafe that she owned and operated. They were married on April 30, 1950, and farmed in the Templin Community for a few years. They later owned and operated the Houtz Hardware store in Alta Vista. Ethel enjoyed many years working at Derby Food Center at K-State. They moved to Manhattan in the early 1980’s and were members of the First United Methodist Church. She was involved in the Konza Prairie Quilters Guild, United Methodist Circle, and EHU. In 2016 Judy and Kirk welcomed her into their home where she was able to enjoy her final years playing games, enjoying dinners with friends and family. She enjoyed the companionship of Biscuit and Pooh and her grandchildren’s furry family members. She moved to Homestead Assisted Living in 2021. Her grandchildren brought joy to her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband William Henry Houtz (Bill).

She is survived by daughters, Judy (Kirk) Nafziger of Manhattan, Kansas and their daughters Michelle (Brian) Broadwater; Nicole (Dan) Schade; Jeanne (Alan) Nelson of Jefferson City, Missouri and their sons Jared (Carrie) Nelson and Aaron Nelson; Becky (Edward) Huss of Derby, Kansas and their daughter Victoria (Robert) Little.

Great Grandchildren: Chase, Kennedy, and Rowan Broadwater; Luke, Reed, Brock, and Levi Nelson; and Merit Little.

Memorials are designated to Purple Power Animal Welfare Society and Always and Forever Midwest Animal Society.

Services will be Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Carlson Parkview Funeral Home in Manhattan, Kansas. Internment at Valley View Cemetery following the ceremony.