Helen Catherine Houtekier

June 23, 1927 - March 3, 2021

Helen Catherine Redding Houtekier passed away at her home in Troy on Wednesday, March 3, 2021; she was 93 years young. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis A., her parents Margaret and James Redding, and her siblings Betsy Hueston and James Redding. She is survived by her children Millie, Dottie (Ed) Carpus, Conrad (Karen), Jerome (Veronica), Kate (Jim) Weertz, Cindy (Tom) Courneya, Jen, and Sean (Trish). She is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Helen was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and grew up in Beech Grove, Indiana. She met Louis at Fort Benjamin-Harrison Hospital where he was recovering from injuries sustained in WWII. They were married on September 2, 1946 at Holy Name Church in Beech Grove. She and Louis raised their children in Harper Woods, Michigan where they belonged to Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish. In 1983 they moved to Big Rapids, Michigan where they were active in many charitable and service organizations, including the VFW, DAV, and FCE. They were also active members of St. Paul's Campus Parish at Ferris State University. In 2013 they moved to Oakmont Senior Housing in Sterling Heights where they enjoyed making many new friends. Helen enjoyed travel, crafts, baking, and sewing for Verterans Hospital and St. Paul's. She also created beautiful memory books for all of her children, which included pictures and histories of their ancestors. She was famous among her family for her raisin bread, peanut butter fudge and raspberry ice-cream syrup. Her family and friends will miss her and her giving and caring nature, but we know we were fortunate to have had her with us for so many years. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity in her memory are welcome.