Gwendolyn Houston

Gwendolyn Ann "Gwen" Houston, 73, of Merriam, Kansas, passed away at her home on November 6, 2024. She was born on July 24, 1951, in St. Francis, Kansas, to Robert and Carol (Deeds) Brubaker.

Gwen grew up in Bird City, Kansas, and later lived in Fort Collins, Colorado. She was the third of six siblings and shared a close bond with her family. She graduated from Bird City Rural High School in 1969 and attended Kansas State University before earning a Bachelor of Arts in 2002 and a Master of Arts in English in 2004 from Fort Hays State University.

Throughout her career, Gwen worked with students through the 500 Reach program in Kansas City, Kansas, and later assisted clients at the Kansas Department for Children and Families (KDCF), where she also contributed by writing technical manuals for staff.

In November 1978, Gwen married Jim Houston, and they had three children together. The couple's marriage ended in 1995, but Gwen remained committed to her family, hosting holiday meals with her children. While she was known for her tidy, sparse kitchen, she often left the cooking to her children, sometimes preparing traditional turkey dinners and, on occasion, green bean soup and bierocks.

In retirement, Gwen pursued her love of research and cooking, compiling a cookbook inspired by a 1950s Bird City Methodist Church recipe book. This collection featured recipes from her grandmothers, family members, and her own kitchen.

She is survived by her children: Nathan Houston and his partner, Laura; John Houston and his wife, Alicia; and Anne Houston; her sisters Marilyn Miller, Jane Perkins and her husband, Roger, Charlene Holzmeister and her husband, Ivan; her brothers Fred Brubaker and his wife, Susan, and Gary Brubaker and his wife, Jane; as well as numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Bob Miller.

Cremation took place in November 2024. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 10, 2025 at the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Bird City, Kan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gwen's name to Learning Club of Kansas City at P.O. Box 171040, Kansas City, KS 66117.

Gwen will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.