Carole A. Houchins

Carole Ann Houchins of Sioux City passed away peacefully early on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at the Holy Spirit Retirement Home.
Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Methodist Church in Sergeant Bluff, with coffee to follow in the fellowship hall. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Carole was born on Dec. 26, 1919, to Mina and William (Bill) Peterson, in rural Woodbury County, Iowa. She went to school and graduated from Sergeant Bluff.
Carole married Harry (Al) Houchins in May 1938 and they made their home in Sergeant Bluff. In March 1940, their daughter Doreen was born. During World War II, Carole helped at the Sergeant Bluff Community Center serving sandwiches and coffee to the troops stationed at the nearby Sioux City Army Air Base.
Carole was a working woman all her adult life including working as a school lunchroom server, as the Sioux City Air Base, Base Exchange manager for many years, as a bank teller and as Abu Bekr Shrine office manager. Carole enjoyed working and enjoyed people.
Carole was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church in Sergeant Bluff and very active in the United Methodist Women Organization, serving as president a number of years.
Carole was an excellent seamstress and made most of her daughter's clothes as she grew up as well as many beautiful square dance dresses she wore when she and Al went dancing. They both loved to dance and were members of three clubs over the years. Carole also loved reading, playing bridge and caring for her flower garden.
Carole is survived by her daughter, Doreen Massey; three grandchildren, Deborah Massey, Michael Massey and his wife, Mary, and Hope Winegardner, and her husband, Mark; seven great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Carole was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, infant Bobby, Donald and Ray Peterson; and a sister, Dora Buchanan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the U.M.W. at the Methodist Church in Sergeant Bluff.