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Joan Houchen
July 13, 2020 - August 30, 2020
Olympai, Washington - Obituary: Joan Carol (Gildemeister) Houchen
Born July 13, 1930 in Minneapolis, MN died August 30, 2020 at the age of 90. She is survived by her son Chris Houchen, Palmer, AK; daughter Lis Houchen, Brinnon, WA; grandson Bruce Houchen (Paris); granddaughter Emily Houchen Gutierrez (Steven); granddaughter Sarah Houchen; great granddaughters Stella Rae, Harper Joan & Isabelle Marie Houchen and great grandson Tristan Trevor Gutierrez. She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond Oliver Houchen in 1993. Joan moved with her family in the early years from Minnesota to South Dakota to Montana finally settling down in Seattle where she attended Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington. Prior to marrying Ray on June 25, 1954, Joan was the store model at I. Magnin in downtown Seattle. They moved to Honolulu, then to Coronado where Ray finished up his active duty as a naval aviator aboard the Oriskany. Moving back to Seattle, Joan modelled at Frederick and Nelson. With Ray taking a job with Continental Airlines, the family moved back and forth between Denver and Los Angeles, finally settling on Camano Island on the Flying Dutchman Farm in 1967. Joan was appointed to the Island County Planning Commission, working on the Shoreline Management Act. Recruited to run for the House of Representative in 1976, Joan lost her first bid for the 10th Legislative District, coming back to win in 1978 and again in 1980, being part of the first 49-49 split. She lost her bid for the 2nd Congressional District in 1982 but remained involved in the Republican Women's Club and the Moderate Republicans until her death. Joan and Ray built a home Coupeville in 1990, where she was active in the Island County Historical Society. Joan finally settle in Olympia near Boston Harbor in 2000 where she lived out the rest of her life among her cherished neighbors. Joan was a member of the Olympia Rotary, a docent for the Washington Governor's Mansion and on the Board of Trustees, a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, as well as the church's hand quilting group and a P.E.O. sister.
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4 Entries
We were so saddened to find this while doing some Park family research. Ray was John's cousin and we enjoyed our times together - reconnectioning in the early 80s. We would like to get in touch with the kids to share photos and memories and if one is into genealogy we'd love to connect them with others cousins. Our condolences to the family. Joan was a wonderful lady full of love and fun. We will miss her.
John and Kathy Park
Family
December 9, 2020
Joan and I met at the Gloria Dei quilting group and she was a delightful conversationalist as we hand quilted in the church fireside room every week for the last 6 years. I loved her stories about serving in the legislature, modeling, the Governor’s Mansion docent work, her growing up years, her interest in Alaska, flying with her husband, and riding horses in show group. She taught me a great deal about life and quilting as we stitched! She will be dearly missed by the Friendship Quilters . My sympathy goes to her family whom she always treasured! I am truly blessed from knowing Joan.
Diana Pals
Friend
September 30, 2020
So sad to hear of Joan's passing. SIncere condolences to her family.
Franz Wiechers-Gregory
Friend
September 25, 2020
Lis, i’m so sorry to read that your mom passed away. She certainly lived a long and fulfilling life. Blessings and hugs.
Debbie (Gjerde) Gaetz
Friend
September 25, 2020
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