Family: Howard Elisha Houck / Elizabeth M Mann Houck

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Anniversary- Houck, Howard and Elizabeth 6

70th anniversary is held


By Dorothy Hoobler
January 27, 1985 was a very special day for Mr. and Mrs. Howard Houck, Rossville. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a reception at the Rossville Community Center. The reception was served by the ladies of the Delia Presbyterian Church.

Having all seven of their children and their spouses home for a grand reunion made the day even more memorable. The children all came from great distances to share the occasion with other relatives and many friends and neighbors. The Houck children are Virginia and Ted Sumner, Hereford, Texas; Beth and Ray Sumner, Tacoma, Washington; Leroy and Shirley Houck, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Lawrence and Marie Houck, South Lake Tahoe, Cal.; Richard and Opal Houck, Carmichael, Cal.; Wendell and Florence Houck and John and Marjorie Houck, of Galt, Cal. Also attending were four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all from California. (Howard and Elizabeth proudly counted up 20 grandchildren and 29 greatgrandchildren.)

Howard and Elizabeth Mann were married on January 24, 1915 in Oklahoma City, then came back to Kansas. They settled on a farm in the area which his father, a Civil War- veteran, had settled years before. In January, 1933, they moved one mile to what became known as the family homestead, just north of Delia. In 1974, they retired to 329 Main Street in Rossville.

One of their most unusual and treasured anniversary gifts was a built to scale model of the old home, which was destroyed by fire. Grandson Bob Houck spent 65 hours painstakingly making the two-story, white frame replica whit its many windows, screened-in porch, and shingle roof. The pillared front porch is complete with tiny chairs and a table.

Mr. Houck explained that he spent one hour on the telephone with Bob, giving details and exact measurements. He remembered them. After all, he helped to build the house, and he lived there 70 years. The Houcks agreed they couldn't think of a gift they'd enjoy more. The model was carefully packed and hand- carried all the way from California. At 93, Howard laments the facts that cataract surgery prevents him from driving, but they just returned in late December from a four month visit in Texas, New Mexico, and California. The trip was a extended visit, because Elizabeth underwent an emergency operation for a pace maker implant when they were in Texas. Mrs. Houck laughed as she related that the surgeon was extremely reluctant to perform such surgery on a 90 year old patient. "But I don't feel like 90,” she said emphatically, as she pedaled the sewing machine, stitching carpet strips for a rag rug.

The Houcks have beautiful memories of their 70th anniversary. Their many friends who attended the party had a wonderful time, too, and extend their best wishes to this very special couple.

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