Marie Elizabeth (Court) Houtz, 78

Marie Elizabeth (Court) Houtz died of natural causes on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005.

Marie was born on April 14, 1927, in Westminster, London, to Alfred and Rosina Court. She graduated from Saint Michael's School, Buckingham Palace Road, Westminster.

She was employed by the British Red Cross, then by Harrods of London, and later with the British Army Air Force and Navy Family Relations Service.

Marie wed Earl Houtz on Sept. 17, 1944, in Hemsby, England. She came to the United States in April 1946, and became a U.S. citizen in January 1958.

She was a member of the Evangelical Church of North America.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Earl, in 1996; her brother, Robert Court, in 1988; and sister, Elsie Jeffries, in 1993.

Survivors include children, Earl Robert and Karla Houtz of Kalispell, Rosina Joan and Stephen Smith of Wichita, Kan., David Ross and Luci Houtz of Great Falls, and Douglas Charles and Denise Houtz of Kalispell; sisters, May Mumford and Joan Day of England; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, at First Alliance Church, 908 47th St. S., Great Falls.

Memorials are suggested to Billy Graham Association and Moody Bible Institute.