Betsy L. Houdek

Betsy L. Houdek, age 85, of Traverse City, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025 surrounded by family.

Betsy was born in Lake Leelanau, MI on March 12, 1939 to the late Harold & Florence (Harp) Overby. She was a long-time resident of Traverse City and a member of East Bay Calvary Church. A wonderful mother, her love overflowed to all children. She was an avid cook and faithful solver of sudoku, crosswords, and jigsaw puzzles.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Houdek, and siblings, Anna McDougal, Janice Payne, Karen Csaszar, and infant brother, Leonard Overby.

Betsy is survived by her children, Michael (Beth) O'Brien, Carl O'Brien, Patrick (Pennie) O'Brien, Brenda (Jerry) Korb; 13 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and siblings, Arlene O'Brien, Yvonne Sadler, Germaine Overby.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Grand Traverse Pavilions for the exceptional care they provided to Betsy in her final days.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St. Traverse City. The family will welcome visitors an hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be given to East Bay Calvary Church in Betsy's honor.