Lee's obituary
After Leota graduated in 1950 from Mount Saint Clare College in Clinton, IA with an Associate's Degree, she taught public school for several years in areas around her hometown. In 1954, however, a case of wanderlust took her and she decided to move to California. She never made it, and ended up settling in the greater Denver, CO area for the rest of her life. She had a full life in Denver, where she married, had a child, got divorced, and worked for many years as a secretary, ending her career with General Foods (now Kraft Heinz) after 24 years.
Following retirement, Leota pursued various interests, including spending time with her many good friends, arts and crafts, volunteering with various charitable organizations, and involvement in groups and activities at Faith Church in Aurora, CO.
Leota is survived by her son, Scott Laughlin, and daughter-in-law, Cara Gordon, of Washington, DC, her sister-in-law Mary Houzenga of Thomson, IL, as well as many extended family members in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Colorado. She was preceded in death by her older brother Alvin Houzenga and her twin brother Leland Houzenga.
Memorials and donations may be given to Project C.U.R.E., or any other charity that you may desire to support.
Leota’s family wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Shalom Park Nursing Home in Aurora, CO, where Leota lived for the last 15 months of her life after suffering from a fall, for their outstanding and loving care, particularly during the COVID pandemic.
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