December 5, 1935 in Clark, South Dakota to Joseph and Marie Smith.
She moved with her family to Dow City, Iowa as a young girl and she graduated from Dow City High School. She married Andrew Houston, January 16, 1954 and moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa. She and Andy were blessed with 7 children. Karen loved being a mom, grandmother and great grandmother (Gigi), she always treasured her family and they were her number one priority.
Karen and Andy moved to Houston, Texas in 1971, where they soon embraced the “Texas” lifestyle. They owned property on Lake Conroe and enjoyed picnics and boating. In 1997 they purchased a beach home on Pirate’s Beach on Galveston Island where they loved to entertain family and friends until 2005.
Karen traveled with Andy on business trips and played an integral role with clients. They traveled and enjoyed several cruises and many vacations across America. Karen and Andy prioritized trips to celebrate family milestones: Weddings, Births, Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, High School and college Graduations.
Karen was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church. She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters from 1959 and was Regent and Treasurer, lead bake sales, Religious Education and was a Second Blessing volunteer. She owned and ran a small catering company (putting all her kids to work) catering small parties for several years. She belonged to several social organizations including bridge club, a sewing group and enjoyed fellowship immensely. She and Andy were active members in a neighborhood Gourmet Group for 40 years.
Preceding Karen in death are her parents; daughter, JoAnn; brothers, Charles and Bob Smith; and sister, Corrine Englehart.
Karen is survived by her husband, Andy; sister, Lois (Harlan) Collins; children: Susan (Morris) Phillips; Joan (Kirk) Bowden; Ed (Cathy) Houston, Donna (Kevin) O’Connor; Dan (Joanie) Houston and Ann Marie (Mark) Kluppel. Eleven grandchildren: Patrick (Nikki) Phillips, Andrew (Misty) Phillips, Daniel (Chelsey) Houston, Christopher Houston, Kelli Houston, Sara (Joe) Lenart, Kevin Bowden, Joseph Houston, Jonathan Houston, Paul Kluppel and Jennifer Kluppel. Six great grandchildren: Makayla and Jack Houston, Emma and Ellie Phillips, Charlotte, and Colin Lenart.
A Memorial Mass will take place at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Houston, Texas on June 4 at 10:30am. Friends and family will gather at a later date to celebrate her life at her final resting place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Dunlap, Iowa
In lieu of flowers Memorials can be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap Iowa.
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