Ouida B. Houdek

Ouida B. Houdek went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. Born a native Houstonian on December 15, 1928 to Herman August Bergman and Rebecca Elender Wright. She is preceded in death by the father of her three children John Prudhon, husband Max Houdek, sisters Becky ‘Bocky’ Pater and June Pike Farrar, brothers William ‘Billy’ Pike and Martin ‘Bubba/Corn’ Pike, pets Rebel, Honey and so many animals that she loved and that were named after family members that had passed.

She is survived by sister Dolores Sossaman of Houston, TX, son Marcus Joe Prudhon of Davie, FL, daughter Kathleen and husband Andrew Curry of Rosharon, TX, son John K. Prudhon of Waterloo, NY, grandchildren Joen and wife Paula Preuss of Cypress, TX, Rebecca Bigley of Kansas City, MO and Sean Prudhon of Salt Lake City, UT, great-grandchildren Joshua and Benjamin Preuss, Raylen, Balain and Jackson Bigley. And just as importantly she loved dearly all her nieces and nephews Becky, Dana, Jan, Lisa, Phyllis, Stephen, David, John, Mark & Mike.

She was known to many family and friends as Memaw, Woodge, Aunt Totsy and “Hotsy Totsy”. She was loved by all, Family was her life and everything to her. She was very much like her mother and is the one who carried her mother’s legacy. She loved animals and cared for hundreds of cats and dogs all her life. During her spare time, she loved watching Judge Judy, and everyone knew not to bother her during her favorite tv show. Her smile, wit and kind heart will be greatly missed by all the lives she touched. She was named after her Native Indian great-grandmother Ouida, which means “Warrior Woman”. Her parents recognized her as having a strong will, but with a kind heart. She loved her family dearly.

During these last few years, her life was surrounded by residents and associates of Brookdale at Shadowlake where she enjoyed living. Many of the caring associates became family to her and have expressed that she will be greatly missed.

The Funeral for Ouida Houdek

The Blessing:

Lord we ask that everyone in the sound of my voice would be encouraged by what is said today concerning Ouida’s Life. I pray that all the friends and family would be comforted in the grieving process of the loss of a treasured family member. Please allow us to come together today in Unity and allow each attendee, the opportunity to hear the words of life that only you can bring. Its in Jesus name, we pray all these things, Amen and Amen

The Eulogy:

Today is somber day for paying our respects to a woman who believed in celebrating the good things in everyone she met. She will be dearly missed, but let’s also remember the hope that she had through her entire journey of life. There is a cold reality that services like this bring before us. The appearance that death is an absolute end. Today we reach this point of that reality together with family and friends. Ouida would have had a treasure of things she would like us to know. I believe she would probably agree with what the Word of God says about the subject of death.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

For the Believer in Christ; there are promises for victory over the grave and a continued life in the spiritual realm of Heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in Victory”

• This is a free gift to those have made several choices for their life on earth.

• For those who believe in Christ , We ask Him to be our Lord and Savoir

• For those who will believe in Christ, We accept what was purchased for us on a cruel Cross by Christ

• For those who will admit they are a sinner, we call out to the Lord to save our soul and cleanse it.

Jesus said clearly; John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

We are meant to be in fellowship with the Lord in this life; prayerfully consider your life today

Victory is yours in Christ Jesus; In the same way Jesus is offering a way for Ouida to have a Life of no interruption, He also offers that life to anyone else who is willing to follow him as Ouida did.

Eternal life for her is the Final Reality

Before I move on, here is a simple prayer that is fitting for where we are at this time.

It’s called… Mourn Me Not

For the one who I have left behind. I want you to know, what I had in mind.

I thought of you all, before I died. I loved you so much, I could have cried.

He put out His hands for me to go. I had not time to let you know.

Mourn not for me, nor sorrow take. But love for each other, for my sake.

Weep not, love ones, but be content. Our lives you know are only lent.

The grave is but a bed you see…prepare yourselves to follow me.

In love we lived, and in peace, I died. You asked for my life, but God denied.

Love each other and happiness find what-ever you do, just please be kind.

Remembrance;

We gather together today to celebrate the life of Ouida today and to set apart some time to reflect on the life of this mother “to many”. Ouida’s life was a celebration of the great things that the Lord had shown her through good days and the trying times as well. The best way to show this desire in her heart would be to read some of the words that she cherished over her life. The family collected several of these and I would like to start with what she cherished. The interest in the power of words to change seems to be one of the ways she encouraged herself and those who were around her. Ouida seemed to love sharing a written word, an interesting quote, or a newspaper article to bless someone’s life. She obviously understood the power of the written word to speak life to those around her.

This is a declaration she had kept that seems to describe her life and her thoughts on humbleness.

It’s called “ I asked God”

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of man; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things; that I might enjoy life, I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men; most richly blessed.

Ouida would have wanted this family gathering to be a time where she could spend time with all of your remembering the times of your lives. Today’s pictures of immediate and extended family and friends would have delighted her as she appreciated the value of family.

The Prudhon and Curry families are also so grateful for the love and friendship lavished on their mom in the latter years of her life by the residents and associates of the Brookdale at Shadow lake where she enjoyed living. Many of you were her extended family and we greatly appreciate your prayers and concern for her during that time of her life.

The Closing Blessing:

Dear Lord, we remember before you this day our sister in Christ Ouida. We thank you for giving her to family, her friends, to know and love her on this journey of life and us. We ask for your comfort and support to those who continue in life. And that everyone would consider this as an opportunity to make a change in their life that would move us closer to the glory you have planned and purposed for this life on earth and the life ever after.

It’s in Jesus Name, we pray, Amen and Amen

Interment Ceremony

As we hold Ouida in our hearts and memories from this day forward, we commit ourselves to hold Ouida with us always. We honor her memory by the following promise to treat our friends and family members the way that Ouida did, with a kind heart willing to share wisdom with others. . We all should commit to leave or hearts open to allow others into our lives with the intention of creating and honoring the Family of God.

Ouida’s new Life with Christ.

Having committed Ouida’s Spirit to eternal rest we now say to Ouida: Thank you for all you have gifted to us in your long and loving, life.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thanks, you for sharing Ouida’s life with us, we positively look forward to the time we will see her again in eternity. There will be plenty of Joy in that celebration day when we reach the same place where there is no limits of an earthly body. We thank you that you left this earth to create a place of eternal fellowship with you; where there is no more sorrow, no more tears and death has indeed lost its sting. We ask for comfort and blessings on all who attended today is service and ask for traveling mercies for those who have traveled long distance to joins us. It is in Jesus name that give you Glory; Amen and Amen