HOUDEK, William J. (1897-1996)

HOUDEK, PTACEK, BLETCH, WILSON, ERDMANN, KATTER, WILLIAMS, ALGER, CAYLER, URICH, BRCKA

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 6/1/2023 at 11:41:24

Bill Houdek
1897-1996

Services for Bill Houdek, 98, of Garner who died Tuesday, May 28, 1996, at Concord Care Center in Garner, were held 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 31, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner with Rev. John Hemann and Rev. Msgr. Russell Bleich as officiants. Mrs. Robert Young was lector.

Elmer Urich served as an usher.

Casket bearers were Brad Frein, Gary Schisel, Larry Schisel, Joe Huinker, Bob Deibler and Robert Kral.

Burial was in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Garner. Visitation and a Scriptural Wake Service were held at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner.

William John Houdek, the son of John and Anna (Ptacek) Houdek, was born July 8, 1897 on a farm southwest of Garner. After attending the rural schools of Liberty Township #5, he farmed with his parents. For two years, Bill and Elmer Ludeke had a car dealership where they sold Willis Knight Automobiles.

August 4, 1931, he married Rena Rose Bletch at Mason City. In 1930, prior to his marriage, Bill had moved into Garner where he owned and operated Houdek Billiards, until he retired in 1954. Due to ill health, he moved to Concord Care Center, January 6, 1989. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and repairing guns and fishing reels. Before his death, May 28, 1996, Bill was the oldest living fireman in Garner; having served on the Garner Fire Department from 1936-64.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church.

Survivors include his daughter, Norma Jean Wilson and her husband, Cleve of Salem, OR; his son, Earl Erdmann and his wife, Marcella of Garner; nine grandchildren, Charles Katter, Shelley Williams, Marcia Alger, Janet Cayler, William Erdmann, Thomas Erdmann, Charles Erdmann, James Erdmann, and Nancy Erdmann; 25 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a niece, Dorothy Urich and her husband, Rudy of Garner.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rena Houdek, August 6, 1981; a grandson, Jeff Katter; his parents; a sister, Emma Brcka; and five brothers, Joseph Houdek, Frank Houdek, Fred Houdek, Charles Houdek and George Houdek.

source: Leader & Sigal, Garner, Iowa, 5 Jun 1996, page 6, column 1