Elaine C. Houlden
Elaine C. (Einspahr) Houlden, age 88, of Elwood, Nebraska, passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Elwood Care Center, in Elwood, Nebraska. She was born on March 14, 1936, to Harley and Hattie (Kottmeyer) Einspahr in Lexington, Nebraska.
She was baptized on April 1, 1936, and confirmed on May 28, 1950, at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hendley, Nebraska. She graduated from Elwood High School on May 20, 1954.
She married Dean L Houlden on June 26, 1955, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood, Neb. They initially made their home in Bertrand before finally settling on the Houlden farm south of Elwood. To this union, five children were born Michael, Linda, Kevin, Gary, and Tobin.
Elaine worked a few jobs outside the home from time to time, but her number one job was being a great mom. She worked many hours on the Houlden farm. She was devoted to Our Lord and Savior and was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and LWML. She absolutely loved being outside working in her yard, flower garden, growing tomatoes, and walking in the pasture, cutting thistles. She always enjoyed watching the deer and turkeys come by the house. She always had a hug for her grandkids and greatgrandkids.
Survivors include daughter Linda and husband Errol Boyd of Andover, Kansas, sons Kevin and wife Mary Houlden of Lincoln, Nebraska, Gary and wife Shelly Houlden of Elwood, Nebraska, Tobin and wife Cindy Houlden of Kearney, Nebraska, Grandchildren Barry Boyd of Andover, KS, Melissa Boyd of Overland Park, KS, Megan Houlden, Blaine Houlden, Cole, and Krissy Houlden all of Lincoln, Neb, Tristan Houlden of North Platte, Neb, Austin and Ashely Anderson of North Platte, Neb, Madalyn Houlden of Kearney, Neb. Greatgranddaughter’s Penelope Strothkamp, Tatum Witt, Breck Houlden, all of Lincoln, Neb, Gracie Mae Houlden of North Platte, Neb, Zayla Anderson and Estella Anderson of North Platte, Neb, Great-grandson’s Bruin Haskell of Lincoln, Nebraska, Jacob Jordan Jr. of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sister-in-law Janis Einspahr of Orleans, Nebraska, Brother Harley (Marileen) Einspahr of Farnam, Nebraska, sister-in-law Cynthia Einspahr of Longmont, Colorado, sister-in-law Barbara Holloway of Williamsburg, Virginia, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and son Michael on November 9, 1967, brothers Norman and Virgil, sister-in-law Clela Einspahr brotherin- law Dave Holloway, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Melvin and Berdina Houlden, brother- in-law and sister-inlaw Clyde Jr and Rubie Houlden, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Doris and Clyde Moncrief.
Viewing and visitation was held Sunday, November 10, 2024, from 5 PM to 7 PM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood, Nebraska. Funeral services were held Monday, November 11, 2024, at 10:30 AM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Elwood, Nebraska with Rev. Aaron Witt, officiating. Interment followed at Elwood Cemetery, Elwood, Nebraska. Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.
