Mary Elizabeth (Mott) Houle (1982)

HOULE, BOWLES, MOTT

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 12/19/2008 at 10:06:46

Earlham Echo – August 5, 1982

Mary E. Houle, the daughter of Chester and Joanna Bowles Mott was born December 21, 1900 near Viola, Iowa. She passed away suddenly at Madison County Memorial Hospital in Winterset on July 31, 1982.

In 1909 Mary moved with her family to the Bear Creek Community north of Earlham. She attended Cedar Grove Quaker School during her elementary years. In 1918 she graduated from Olney Friends Boarding School in Barnesville, Ohio. She graduated from Penn College in 1925 and in 1931 received a Masters Degree in English from the University of Iowa.

Mary taught schools in Denison, Minburn, West Branch and Des Moines, Iowa.

In September, 1941 she was united in marriage to Edgar J. Houle at the home of her parents. The couple lived in Des Moines until they moved to Earlham in 1960. Edgar passed away in 1969.

During her years in Earlham, Mary helped many elderly people and also helped with the Earlham Care Program.

Mary was active in the affairs of the Friends Meeting House and was an active member of the Sorosis Club.

Mary is survived by one brother, Milford Mott, of Pocahontas, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and one infant brother.

Services were conducted at the Bear Creek Friends Conservative Meeting House August 3, 1982. Casket bearers were Roy Knight, Homer Moffitt, Owen Newlin, Stephen Osborn, Clifford Rater, Ellis Standing. Interment was at Bear Creek Cemetery, Dallas County, Iowa.

Professional arrangements by McKee Funeral Homes, Earlham and Dexter.