Gail VanPatten Houser

“You toiled hard for those you loved, you said goodbye to none. Your spirit flew before we knew, your work on earth was done.”

Gail came into the world as a Christmas Day blessing in 1950. Her parents always celebrated her birthday earlier in the month with her father’s, so she could experience both a birthday and Christmas. Even as an adult, she never viewed Christmas Day as her actual birthday. She grew up on her family’s farm in Williamston, Michigan where she gained a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for the out of doors.

As a child, she was very involved with Vantown 4-H, participating in knitting, softball, cooking, and showing cattle and rabbits. She had fond memories of attending the one room schoolhouse on Dennis Road before it closed. During her time at Dansville Schools, she played the clarinet and was a cheerleader. She continued playing on softball leagues with her sisters and other friends into her early 40’s.

Gail met Steve Houser at a community barn dance in 1981. Four years later, they blended and expanded their family with a marriage which lasted 36 years. They became partners with her parents, operating Van Patten Pines Christmas Tree Farm until 2007. It was a lot of work throughout the year, but they both enjoyed it and the time spent working alongside family. Gail spent a lot of her time in November and December making wreaths for the business. Friday night Wooden Nickel pizza and burrito take out after the long opening day of tree sales was always a big family event.

Gail was a people person and felt called upon to serve others. She connected with many people in the Williamston community through her 39-year career as a dental hygienist. Her young nieces and nephews remember sitting in the chair at her office and learning a dentist visit didn’t have to be a scary thing.

Her care and compassion for others were most apparent when she completed her training in Naturopathic Medicine. She ran her business, Inside Out Wellness, for 13 years. “Dr. Gail” had a large client base and a deep and selfless passion to care for others. She made herself available at all times to help with her client’s health and well-being.

Gail was also passionate about her personal relationship with God and serving Him through her strong Christian Faith. She lived her life according to His word and strived to pass her faith on to her children. She was active in the Williamston Memorial Lutheran Church and involved with the Ladies Fellowship Group where she served as treasurer. She volunteered countless hours at the Memorial Lutheran School, helping out with fellowship gatherings and field days. She also took it upon herself to make many costumes for school plays and Halloween parties.

Along with her faith, her family was also very important. While typically very even tempered, she had a fierce "momma bear" switch and was always ready to do what it took to protect her family.

She loved attending sporting events and other extracurricular activities involving her children and grandchildren. Her calendar was usually filled to capacity with family gatherings, helping with the grandkids and tending the flower beds at the family farm. She was readily available to assist Steve with any project that he had going, or pick up a paintbrush during a home improvement project for family.

As their children spread across the country, Gail and Steve enjoyed visiting them and experiencing fun adventures in New York, Arizona and Virginia. She loved road trips with Steve whether it was to “dink and donk” around the backroads to see small town America, or an impromptu trip to Dairy Queen on a hot summer night.

She shared a very close bond with her four sisters. As the oldest child, she paved the way in always being the “first one” in everything. Much to her dismay, it seemed the rules imposed by her parents became a little looser for each subsequent sister that came along after her. From pulling blood suckers off her younger sister’s feet after swimming in Doan Creek, to caring for her entire family through her positions in dental hygiene and naturopathic medicine, she took her role as “Big Sister” seriously. The siblings enjoyed annual “sister’s trips” to Mackinaw for the fall shopping weekend, where Gail was always excited to pick up another piece of Polish Pottery.

Much to the delight of those close to her, Gail inherited her Grandma Iva’s cooking gene. She had a cupboard full of well used cookbooks and was always up for experimenting with a new recipe. She was the designated broccoli salad, cinnamon candied apples and homemade applesauce provider at all family functions. She could bake a mean Thanksgiving turkey dinner complete with all the fixings, and not stress out about a thing. She had perfected the art of butterscotch pie making and her children were particularly fond of her homemade cookies - chocolate chunk, sugar, molasses and peanut butter. Those recipes will now be handed down to the next generation.

Gail enjoyed snowshoeing, the solitude of a walk through the woods on the family farm and paddling a kayak on a sunny day. She was a tole painter, crafter and quilter. She excitedly shared photos of the beautiful baby quilt she completed for her soon to be born granddaughter just 2 days before her passing. Her flower beds, fruit trees and vegetable gardens flourished under the loving care of her green thumb.

Gail was always upbeat and happy. She could talk to anyone. Her ready smile and laugh made them feel welcome and special.

She loved watching the deer play while hunting in the field from her perch on an upside down 5-gallon bucket located in a wooded fence row. Getting an actual shot at one during the November deer season was secondary. Recently, after many years, she was thrilled to be able to trade in her old bucket for the comfort of a full-fledged hunting blind complete with a real chair!

She was an avid college sports fan and was always knowledgeable about the standings and players from many teams. She closely followed the Michigan State Spartans and was not shy about providing animated coaching advice and encouragement while watching them on television.

Gail was a true servant of God through her work and in caring for her family. She touched, enriched and bettered the lives of many. She will be truly missed.

“Your life was love and labor, your love for family true. You did the best for all of us, we will always remember you.”

Gail was welcomed into heaven by her parents, Ken and Carol Van Patten. She is survived by her husband Steve Houser; daughter Michelle (Eric) Begin; sons Dan (Felicia) Houser, RJ (Evy) Houser, Brian (Amy) Houser; grandchildren Bryce, Emma, Luke, Abbey (PJ), Alaina, Gabe, Neil, Hunter, and soon to arrive Baby Millie; sisters Laurie, Kathy, Christi and Shannon; along with many additional family members.

Visitation:

Friday September 3, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm (wear your MSU Spartan attire!)

and Saturday September 4, 10:00 am – 10:50 am.

Christian Funeral Service:

Saturday September 4 at 11:00 am

Visitation and Funeral Service Location:

Memorial Lutheran School

2070 Sherwood Road

Williamston, MI 48895

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, gifts in Gail’s memory can be made to:

Memorial Ev. Lutheran Church

1022 West Grand River Ave.

Williamston, MI 48895