Barbara Houk

TORRINGTON, WY...Funeral services for BARBARA RAYE” BURGOON” HOUK, 94 will be held on Saturday October 3, 2009 at 2pm at East Gate Baptist Church in Torrington, Wyoming with Pastor John Wilhelm of the Berean Bible Church officiating. Internment will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Torrington. Memorials can be made out to the Adult Day Care at 2934 East B Torrington, Wyoming 82240. Viewing hours are from 3-7pm on Friday at the Colyer Funeral Home Chapel and the casket will be open at the church. Barbara died on Wednesday September 30, 2009 at Douglas Care Center. Arrangements are under the direction of the Colyer Funeral Home and friends are invited to send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com. She was born November 29, 1914 in Diamondville, WY to Alonzo and Fanny (Cooper) Burgoon. She received her elementary education in Diamondville and her high school diploma in Kemmer, WY. She attended college in Wheaton, IL where the Revered Billy Graham also attended. Barbara then went to Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT where she was awarded her BS in Education. She also worked on her MA degree at the University of Wyoming. Barbara met Willis A. Houk in 1938 and they married on Christmas Day. Barbara received her teaching credentials and became a public servant to many through one room school houses across the state of Wyoming. From the Toman Ranch outside of Greenriver to Prairie Center north of Torrington. The song “Home on the Range” took on real meaning for Barbara as she transferred her knowledge to the students entrusted to her care. As school districts formed she found herself teaching in larger classrooms to include Ft. Laramie, Lusk, and Manville. Eventually she ended up across the border in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. As her diversified interests became more defined she settled on working with special needs and the less fortunate clients that required assistance which Barbara’s training had prepared her for. This included her son David, which had returned from the state training school in Lander, Wyoming. She served in this capacity for the last thirteen years of her public teaching career. She became an accomplished musician playing and giving instructions on the piano. Barbara provided countless hours of enjoyable family time, church, and youth group memories around the piano. Right after retiring from the school system her and her husband joined forces in taking care of special needs clients within their own home in Torrington, a home based business that continued until 1996 when her health forced her to retire. After the death of her husband Barbara maintained her independence and lived with the help of her children and local services for another six years. Upon entering the nursing home facility in 2003 Wheatland, she provided music for the residents and guests that would come and listen to her play. She was very diverse in her interests and activities, being a long time member of the Tops Club, the Retired Teachers Association, and the Senior Citizens Kitchen Band. Barbara volunteered numerous hours at the nursing home with special music and bible studies. She later transferred to the Douglas Wyoming Care Center where she remained until her death. Survivors include her daughters Marjoree Grover (Jerry, deceased) of Douglas, Carol Brothwell (Milford) of Torrington, and sons Tom Houk (Maggie) of Loveland, CO, Reno, NV, Frank Houk (Melody) of Greybull, WY, Paul Houk (Sharon) of Springfield, IL, and Joe Houk (Cheryl) of Torrington twenty-three grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren, and many numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Willis of forty-two years in 1981, a daughter Judith Pettijohn in 1973, a son David in 1994, two grandsons Mel in 1970 and Matthew in 1997, a great grandson Caleb in 2006, three sisters and two brothers.

Barbara Houk

November 29, 1914 - September 30, 2009