Marie Josephine Rolfes Van Houten

Marie Josephine Rolfes Van Houten was born March 1, 1926 in Pomona, CA to Michael Rolfes and Frances Catherine (Sabelka) Rolfes. She died January 10, 2015 in Abilene, TX. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday January 14, 2015 at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Faith, 5701 Hwy 277 South with burial following in Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6 to 8 pm Tuesday, January 13th at the funeral home.

Marie and her family moved to rural Iowa when she was 6 months old. She graduated from La James Beauty College, Mason City, Iowa in 1946 then moved to Spencer, IA where she co-owned and operated a beauty salon. She then met and married Philip James Van Houten on May 8, 1949 in Jackson, MN. He was recalled to the United States Air Force in 1951.

Marie was a retired beautician and Air Force wife. Their various stations of duty included Hawaii (where she had her children), Dover, DE, England, Maryland, Tennessee, and finally Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX. Marie loved her family and took care of Phil and their children while they served in our country’s U.S. Air Force for over 30 years. When he retired in June 1972, they continued to make their home in Abilene. Her hobbies included: reading, sewing, watching TV, antiquing and shopping.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. (USAF Ret.) Philip J. Van Houten - October 20, 1994; her parents; brothers, John Rolfes and wife, Christine, Leo Rolfes and wife, Emma, and Arthur Rolfes; sisters and sisters-in-law, Victoria Rolfes Kout and husband, Oswald, Mildred Rolfes Quirk and husband, Harold, and Celia Stika Rolfes. Survivors include her daughter, Elaine Marie Van Houten Holley and son-in–law, W.C. (Bill) Holley of Clyde, TX; son, Louis Philip Van Houten and daughter-in-law, Betty of Lucas, TX; grandson, Erick Philip Van Houten and wife, Rachel of Plano, TX; brother, Elmer John Rolfes of Marion, IA; sister-in-law, Lillian (Stika) Rolfes, of Calmar, IA. When Bill and Elaine married, she “inherited” his family too; Bill Holley and Diane of Haskell, TX, Cliff Holley and Tina of Sun City Center, FL, and John Holley and Sandy of Vernon, TX. Many dear forever friends, many nieces and nephews, especially Robert Kout of Lancaster, TX as they conversed almost daily.

A special “thank you” to Terry Grant for his 40+ years of yard care and for the wonderful care of her doctors: Robert L. Striegler, Nancy Daggubati, and Troy Carter. Please, she requested no memorials or flowers… feel free to give to your favorite charity.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliott-hamil.com