Helen L Houseman

Helen Lucile Houseman of Lake Odessa, age 100, died peacefully in her sleep the afternoon of January 20, 2022. She was born September 26, 1921 to Arthur William and Maude Mae (Potter) Shores. Helen grew up on a farm in Keene Township near Lowell, the third of four sisters. She attended a one-room schoolhouse, then Lowell High School, graduating in 1939.

On December 6, 1941, Helen married Willard Edward “Bill” Michaud, with whom she spent 36 years and had five children. Helen and Bill were involved in a number of community organizations, including the Grange, Conservation Club, and Lake Odessa VFW. After being widowed, Helen worked at Viola’s Flower Shop near Lake Odessa for a number of years. Several years after Bill passed away, Helen reconnected with a former classmate from Lowell High School, Clayton Houseman. They married on October 1, 1983 and enjoyed 15 years together until his death in 1999.

Helen accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as an adult. She was a woman of quiet faith, and with Clayton attended Pleasant Valley U.B. Church and later West Berlin Wesleyan Church, where she continued until she was no longer able to drive. Helen enjoyed gardening, family camping, fishing, playing cards, and visiting friends and relatives. She passed on her enjoyment of knitting and crocheting to her daughter and granddaughters.

Helen was a loving mother, aunt, and grandma. Family photos and an accumulation of hundreds of newspaper clippings and programs attest to her presence at major life events as well as her pride in family members’ accomplishments and involvement in their communities. Most recently, Helen truly enjoyed seeing everyone that came to share in her 100th birthday celebration last September, as well as the many cards she received.

The family would especially like to express appreciation for the attentive care provided by Kelly Grys and the staff at Country Living AFC for the past several years. Helen was as comfortable as was possible outside her own home.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Carol Gage (Roy), Mildred Sussell (Edward), and her baby sister Ardis Joy Shores; husbands Willard Michaud, Sr. and Clayton Houseman; and daughter Marie Helen (Michaud) Randall. Helen is survived by her children Willard Edward “Bill” Michaud, Jr. (Linda), Kenneth Alan Michaud (Chris), Ronald Eugene Michaud, and Leroy Jay Michaud (Janet); son-in-law Donald Randall; stepsons Thomas Houseman (Charlotte) and Larry Houseman; grandchildren Mark Michaud (Kerri), Andrew Michaud (Carmelita), Tracy Rairigh (Mearl), Jay Michaud, Joni Michaud, Jessica Harrington, and Tara Randall; stepgrandchildren Christopher and Rachel Houseman; great-grandchildren Marissa Michaud, Shelby DeCamp (Jesse), Dustin Anderson, Baillie Harrington; stepgreat-grandchild Bella Rairigh; great-great-grandchildren Madison DeCamp and her baby brother on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday, January 31, 2022 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Koops Funeral Chapel in Lake Odessa. The funeral service will be Tuesday, February 1 at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Valley U.B. Church, 13120 Bell Road, Lake Odessa, MI 48849.