Elizabeth Jane Houck

Elizabeth J. Houck, 88, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2023. Elizabeth was born on November 28, 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa. She grew up in the Drake neighborhood, spending most of her younger years skating on the ice, indoors and out, at Witmer Park. She graduated from Saint Joseph's Academy in 1952, with a large circle of friends. She then entered marriage with James Heggen and had five children. They traveled extensively throughout the United States, making each place they traveled to a good home, with fun filled and cherished moments of happiness and love.

Elizabeth was a homemaker, a wonderful wife and mother. She enjoyed helping others throughout the years, encouraging and loving every moment with her five children. She volunteered at schools, as they grew up. She was a big help with mentoring other children at the schools. She was a member of the PTA and had fun helping with all types of school activities, making good friends in the process. We will always remember her delicious after school homemade brownies. She was a marvelous cook, making dinners every night with all the fixings. Most of all, her children and neighborhood kids loved her homemade cinnamon rolls (incredible).

Over the years, Elizabeth was the type of mother who would have all the neighborhood kids over and made sure each one of them knew that they were special, as she enjoyed having them over. All the kids came to the house because they loved her. She would take her children and heir friends to the movies, swimming pools, parks and loads of other places, to have fun. She loved every minute of it and when summers came along, she was so happy to have her children home to enjoy. Her positive outlook, generous spirit, and kind heart left an impression everywhere she went.

Elizabeth worked at a "Troll Doll Factory", in Encino, California. She would go to work and bring home the dolls and all the little things they wear (sunglasses, clothes, earrings, shoes), this made her children very happy. She also worked, in the same city, at the Ventura Bakery, she was the singing waitress. Later, when living in Mechanicsburg, PA., she was a medical assistant, working for a Podiatrist, helping and assisting with surgeries and making appointments. While living in Oklahoma City, she worked downtown as a bookkeeper for a Stockbroker. She met the love of her life, Billy Houck, one day when she was going up to her office on the elevator. He walked into the elevator she was on and stood there looking at her (her face turning bright red). He asked, "When are you going to go out on a date with me?", and the rest was history. They were married and lived a long happy life together. Her children also loved him as a stepfather. Later, she worked and retired after 25 years, from Health South Medical Facility, in Oklahoma City. They called her "The Voice of Health South", as she was the Communication Specialist. She did an excellent job with the wonderful voice she had.

Elizabeth had the opportunity to travel to Rome, Italy, with her loving daughter, Susan. Together they went with the Saint Charles Borromeo Choir. They both cherished those moments together, having wonderful stories of adventures to tell. Every night they all got together and sang songs at the hotel they stayed at, singing with the piano man. The piano man liked Elizabeth so much, he wrote her a letter, after she returned to Oklahoma, telling her that she was not only a great singer but also a good friend and he was so happy to have met her. Elizabeth also flew many times, over the years, to Des Moines, Iowa to be with her parents, her sister and brother-in-law and her wonderful nieces and nephews, enjoying every trip. She loved them all so very much.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Billy Houck; parents, Robert G. Harritt and Erma E. Harritt; sister, Virginia Heggen and brother -in-law, Ted Heggen; son, Michael Heggen; daughter, Susan Heggen/Royka, and granddaughter, Ruth Ann Royka. She is survived by her children,  James (Jim) Heggen, Judy Daniels, and Robert Heggen; grandchildren, Melissa and T.J. Swanson, Natalie Heggen, Melissa and Taylor Kieltyka, Katelynn and Coree Daniels, Dale and Michelle Heggen, Charles and Renee Royka, and Rachel and Paul Thomas; great-grandchildren, Christopher, T.J., Ellis Swanson, Levie Burley, Finlee Kieltyka, Alice Kieltyka, Zak Royla, Samantha Royka, Ian Osentowski, and Gabriel Osentowski, and one great-great-grandchild, Riley-Ann Swanson. Additional survivors include her nieces and nephews in Iowa, Diane (Dave) Navin, Ted (Kim) Heggen, Mary (Chris) Donahue, Ginny (Steve) Tow, Katie (Ray) Noble, Bobby (Shelly) Heggen and their wonderful children and their grandchildren.

Elizabeth enjoyed life to the fullest, always having a smile on her beautiful face and a hop in her walk. We were so lucky to know the unconditional love she gave, as she loved life and loved her entire family. Her passion and integrity to those she loved was unwavering. Her infectious smile and laughter will live on forever. We will miss her bright eyes and always remember her positivity. The best way to honor her is to have the same kindness in our hearts as she did for others. If she were here, at this very moment, she would be saying, "I LOVE YOU MORE" and mean it. We Will Truly Miss Our Dear Sweet Mamma, Grammy, Aunt Betty Jane.

To honor her wishes, a private ceremony will be held for Liz, with interment of her ashes at the Yukon Cemetery.