Marilyn Houck

1939 - 2025

Marilyn Houck

October 24, 1939 - February 8, 2025

Cedar City, Utah - Myrtle Marilyn Houck was born in Biloxi, MS on October 24th, 1939 to John Samuel Oehler and Olive Viada Mills. She was the third daughter of five girls, and cared immensely for her sisters Doris, Carolyn, Elaina, and Robin. Marilyn and her siblings had a challenging childhood, her mother was diagnosed with cancer and as a result Marilyn spent her youth in Biloxi with extended family and church members. When she was 16, she met and married William Shoemaker and they had 8 children. Marilyn loved all her children deeply and found great purpose in motherhood. Marilyn and William divorced while the children were still young, and Marilyn cared for the 8 children as a single mother. She was a woman of constant prayer and relied heavily on her Father in Heaven to carry her through these challenging times.

Marilyn worked at the Veteran's Association in Biloxi to support her children and had a passion for serving others. She met the love her life, Larry David Houck who was serving at Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi at the time. Larry fell deeply in love with Marilyn and gladly blended their families. They were sealed as a family in 1978 in the Washington DC temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Marilyn and her family moved a couple of times through Larry's Air Force career, eventually ending up in Richland, WA in 1983. Marilyn developed deep friendships through church callings and serving in her local Relief Society. She was blessed with many grandchildren who brought her great joy. There was no calling in life she loved more than being a mother and grandma and was affectionately known as "Mamaw". Marilyn was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and shared her example of strength through faith to all around her.

Marilyn went home to her loving Savior on February 8th, 2025. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Larry David Houck, parents John Oehler and Olive Mills, and sisters Doris, Carolyn, Elaina, and Robin. She is survived by her children Sussie Houck-Lohrey (Ilona), Tommy Houck (Hope), Kimberly Peterson (Ricky), Kevin Houck (Ann), Marietta Borst, Mickey Houck (Anne), Timmy Houck (Willie Lou), Bill Shoemaker (Vicki), stepdaughter Robin DeLorenzo (Anthony) and granddaughter she raised Amanda Wellington (Derek). She is also survived by more than 50 grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she dearly loved.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, March 7th 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1720 Thayer Drive, Richland, WA at 11:00 a.m. with a graveside service following at Sunset Memorial Gardens.