JANE HOUDEK

JANE HOUDEK Little Janey was born in Manhattan, Kansas to Jerry and Florence Gates. She didn't live there long before they moved to Arkansas City, Kansasa place she would call home several times in her life and always in her heart. She passed away in Granbury, Texas a beloved woman to many! During high school she fell in love with Jesus and then came Maurice, the man who would be the father of her three children: Kristi, Kent and Kirk. They met in Ark City and married while Maurice was finishing college in Winfield. They moved to Dallas, Texas for his seminary education and the completion of her first bachelor's degree in physical education from Southern Methodist University. Janie and Maurice began serving the Methodist church in religious education and youth work, but soon they found their passion in Christian camping ministries. They served together in churches and camps in Kansas, Missouri, Florida, Texas and Ohio. While living in Glen Rose, Texas, Jane earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University. She began her dream career as a Registered Nurse that would take her all the way to retirement in her hometown of Ark City, Kansas. Jane moved to Benbrook, Texas in 2005 where she joined and was active with Benbrook United Methodist Church, the YMCA, and a local dog park. In this special community she found lots of things to do and made many friends who remain close to this day. Jane and her dog, Calamity, moved to Granbury in 2022, enabling her children and others to help provide the care she needed. Jane passed peacefully on to her heavenly home from The Oaks Assisted Living during the early morning hours of March 8, 2025. Life was never boring for Jane. She always made family her priorityall things kids and grandkids. She loved Decembers in Cancun, playing the flute and piano, dancing, singing, gardening, watching TV and movies, sewing, reading, her Ark City High School Class of '54, live performances, watching sports, animals (especially dogs), working hard and serving others because of her devotion to The Lord. Jane is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kristi and Jeff Bise; son and daughter-in-law, Kirk and Kelly Wise and granddaughter, Lauren; and two grandsons, Brady and Jake Wise and their mother, Susan; and her faithful caregiving friend, Katie Akins. She was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Gates; mother, Florence Fitzsimmons Gates; husband, Dick Houdek and his son Rocky; and her much loved middle child, Dr. Kent Bradford Wise on June 23, 2023. The Celebration of Life will be held at Paluxy Baptist Church, 9530 Paluxy Circle, Bluff Dale, Texas 76433 on May 21, 2025. Family and friends are invited to attend the service at 11:00AM. The live stream will be available on the church's Facebook page. A fellowship meal immediately following the service is open for anyone who can attend. The family requests any memorial gifts be made to the Paluxy Baptist Church Building Fund or to the charity of their choice.