FUNERAL MASS for Mrs. Houk will be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, April 26, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montrose, Missouri.

OFFICIATING at the funeral mass will be Father Jason Koch.

VISITATION/ROSARY - VISITATION will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the ROSARY being said at 11:30 a.m. preceding the mass on Friday, April 26, 2019.

INTERMENT will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Montrose, Missouri immediately following the mass.

The family suggest any MEMORIAL donations be given to St. Mary's School.

Mary Kathryn Houk, 81, departed this life peacefully at her home in Independence, Missouri on April 18, 2019.  She was born May 14, 1937 in Montrose, Missouri, the daughter of Charles August and Clara Anastasia (Engelhart) Firsick.  Mary was united in marriage to Rolla G. Houk November 22, 1956 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Montrose, Missouri and to this union four children were born: Sonny, Rhonda, Pamela, and Jerry.  Mary spent her life caring for her husband, children and grandchildren.

She spent her formative years in Montrose, attending and graduating from Montrose High School.  Having a great gift for writing, she authored many poems and short stories, with more than 60 being published.  Along with this, she treasured the memories made with her sisters and brothers growing up on the farm during her youth.  Mary dearly enjoyed doodling, coloring, and drawing.  Yet her most cherished times were spent watching birds, especially humming birds, from the comfort of her easy chair alongside her husband of 62 years, Rolla, grandchildren, and her cat, Bingo.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; three siblings, Charlotte Langel (Allen), George Firsick and Ralph Firsick.  Survivors include her husband, Rolla Houk; her children, Sonny Houk, Rhonda Long, Pamela Twenter and Jerry Houk; her grandchildren, Joshua Twenter, Christopher Twenter, Rachel (Twenter) Robertson, Nicholas Twenter, Clara Twenter and Katie Twenter; her siblings, Robert Firsick, Carolyn Crawford (Shirkey) and Kenneth Firsick; and her great-grandson, Henry Twenter; along with many cousins, extended family, and dear friends.  Mary will be deeply missed by her family and friends.