Virginia Marie Houdek-Martin

Virginia Marie Houdek-Martin passed away Saturday, August 24 at Hospice House of Holland. She was born in 1920, the daughter of William and Viola Underwood, in Isabelle, Alabama. As a young woman she moved to Chicago where she met and married her first husband, George Houdek, who preceeded her in death in 2002. George and Virgina moved to Grand Junction, Michigan after he returned from serving in the Navy during World War II.

A long time member of the First Congregational Church of Grand Junction, she served on church board and the Women’s Guild.  For thirty years she worked as a secretatary in the South Haven community. Her time in many committee activities in Grand Junction and surrounding communities included garden club, book club, school volunteer and many others. She was an early member of the Michigan Blueberry Growers Assn. An avid reader, talented gardener and appreciator of the music, theater and art, she spent many hours creating and appreciating beauty.

She is survived by her husband, Reed Martin of Grand Junction, her children, G. Robert and Elizabeth Houdek of New Marshfield, Ohio, William and Lori Houdek of Payson, Arizona, and Dawn and Leroy Stageman of Holland, Michigan. She is held in loving memory by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 31 at 11 o’clock in the morning at the First Congregational Church in Grand Junction. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the First Congregation Church of Grand Junction and The Propionic Acidemia Foundation in support of her great-granddaughter.