Kathryn L. Houts
Kathryn L. Houts, 97, passed away peacefully Tuesday at Orchard Manor, Grove City.
She moved to Orchard Manor in February 2008 from Slippery Rock, where she had lived since 1964. Prior she had lived in Montgomery, W.Va., and in Illinois.
She was born on Oct. 14, 1915, in Springfield, Ill., to the Rev. Frank and Anna (Lotz) Neumeyer.
She grew up in Methodist parsonages throughout central Illinois and graduated from high school in Arthur, Ill. She met her future husband, Earl Houts, when they were both in the band at Arthur High School. Drawn together by their love of music, they went to college together at the University of Illinois and married on March 14, 1940. She later returned to college and graduated in 1975 from Westminster College, New Wilmington, with a teaching degree.
Beyond music, Earl and Kathryn sharpened their photography, sound and naturalist skills to share programs about wildlife, plants and nature’s sounds with local and regional nature groups. This led to directorships at the Jennings Nature Reserve, while it was being developed by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and in Teatown, N.Y.
Kathryn’s interactions with people and musical activities brought her great joy, especially those with her former piano students and their families. She taught piano in her home until 2006. Playing the piano brought a smile to her face, especially when someone played the left hand part while she played the right hand.
After her husband passed away in 1993, Kathryn stayed in Slippery Rock, enjoying her family and her many piano families and neighbors.
She was an active member of the Slippery Rock United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the choir. She was an active member of the state AARP and the Bartramian Audubon Society.
She is survived by two daughters, Carol Anne Mansh and her husband, Steven, of Dresher, Pa., and Jamie Lynn Walter and her fiance, Donald Glenn, of Harrisville; three grandchildren, Alexa, Rusty and Susan; and three great-grandchildren Emily, Cameron and Jamie Marie.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Frances Baird, and her brother, Carl Neumeyer.
Her home was always open to friends, neighbors and her piano students and their families.
She will be greatly missed by her family, the staff at Orchard Manor, and her many friends.
HOUTS — A memorial service for Kathryn L. Houts, who passed away Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, will be held later. A burial will take place in Harmony Cemetery, Harrisville.Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Jamison Funeral Home, Harrisville.Memorial donations may be made to the Slippery Rock Methodist Church Choir, 130 Franklin St., Slippery Rock, PA 16057 or to the Orchard Manor Activities Department for Sunshine Way, 20 Orchard Lane, Grove City, PA 16127.Online condolences may be sent to www.jamisonfuneralhome.com.
