Evelyn J. Houck, 92, of Keystone Heights, Florida, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Thursday, September 14, 2023, in Fernandina Beach, Florida. A Jacksonville native, she was born on December 2, 1930.
For many years Mrs. Houck worked in real-estate, first in Massachusetts, and then in the greater Jacksonville area, where for some 20 years she was affiliated with Watson Realty Corporation. At Watson, she excelled as a well-known horse property specialist and farm and ranch market authority, selling millions of dollars of horse properties annually. Those looking to acquire a horse property in North Florida more often than not sought her counsel, driving to view various ranches and farms in her Chevy pickup truck.
During parts of the 1970s and 1980s, Mrs. Houck traveled extensively around the country with her husband, Albert E. Houck, a senior executive at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. But then they returned home, first to Jacksonville and then to Keystone Heights in 1998. At their ranch in Keystone, she raised miniature horses, some of which she brought from Massachusetts and lived to be nearly 30 years old. She also rescued several horses and gave them a second chance at life. Al Houck died in 2001.
Sixteen years ago she met Ken Brown, who lived down the street from her. One day Mr. Brown was walking past her home as she was outside watering flowers. The rest, as they say, is history. Mr. Brown was her significant other for the rest of her life. He commented recently that “not once in 16 years did we ever have an argument.”
As daughter-in-law Joanne Brady Ulsch said, “Mom really lived her dream life.” Although very successful in real estate, it was her love of family and her passion for animals that fueled her life. She raised and showed not only award-winning miniature horses, but had many beloved dogs, a camel, alpacas, a Brahman bull, a koi pond, and even a few stray cats along the way that seldom missed a meal. She even used to feed a hawk that would swoop down and take pieces of meat from her. For years, one of her favorite activities in the evening was watching television veterinarian Dr. Pol. It didn’t matter how many times she saw any particular episode—it was always about the animal of the hour.
She even road a motorcycle! And until she was 90 years old Mrs. Houck could be seen on her big tractor mowing the hay field.
Mrs. Houck was predeceased by her father, Joseph Frankenberg, mother Margaret Hildebrand Frankenberg, and brothers Charlie, Joseph, and Edward, and sister Bonnie Frankenberg Denmark. She was also predeceased by first husband Nowlan M. Ulsch Jr., by grandson Phillip Joshua Ulsch and his wife Holly Ulsch, niece Catherine Frankenberg, and nephew David Frankenberg. She was also predeceased by daughter-in-law Susan Shea Ulsch.
She is survived by sons Nowlan MacDonnell Ulsch III of Manasquan, NJ and his wife Joanne Brady Ulsch, and Phillip Michael Ulsch of Bryceville, Florida, and his wife JoEllis Ulsch. She is also survived by granddaughter Hilary Ulsch Brown and her husband, Mark Brown of Middleburg, Florida, and step-granddaughter Jeanne McCabe of Shirley, Massachusetts and Donnie Soloklowski McCabe, also of Shirley, Massachusetts. Surviving nieces include Constance Frankenberg and Margie Dieter, both of Jacksonville. Mrs. Houck’s great-grandsons include Samuel, Benjamin, Jonathan, Andrew, Judah, and Israel Ulsch of Keystone Heights.
Ms. Houck is also survived by step-children Steve Houck of New York City, Chip Houck of Atlanta, Georgia, and Laurie Houck James of Alexandria, Virginia.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 11:00 am at Freedom Baptist Church, located at 7207 State Road 21, Keystone Heights, Florida, and officiated by Pastor Jason Stephens. Interment will follow in Keystone Heights Cemetery.
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