James Houdek, age 85, of Spring Valley, Wisconsin, passed away at his home, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Amazingly, September 18th is the Feast Day for the patron saint of aviators and pilots, Saint Joseph of Cupertino.
James Dean Houdek was born December 19, 1938, to James C. and Marie ‘Mae’ Sedlak Houdek in Crete, Nebraska. He grew up farming with his family in rural southeast Nebraska. During his senior year he moved to Columbus, Nebraska. He graduated from Columbus High School with the Class of 1956. After high school he continued his education at the University of Omaha where he was a member of the Air Force ROTC and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
On February 2, 1963, he married Edith ‘Dede’ Coughenour, his college sweetheart, in Omaha, Nebraska. After he graduated, Jim served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 until 1969. He flew the KC-135 Tanker during the Vietnam War. By the end of his tour of duty, he and Dede had four children. He then was hired as a commercial pilot by Northwest Airlines and moved with his family to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Within a year the airline industry began laying off pilots, and Jim along with many other newly hired pilots lost his job. He convinced Northwest to hire him back as an accountant, and he worked in the corporate offices for eight years. In 1980 Jim very happily returned to flying, and he, Dede, and their now eight children made Spring Valley their home. The family became enthusiastic and involved members of the community. Jim retired from Northwest on his 60th birthday in 1998.
After 45 years of marriage, he lost his wife Dede on November 6, 2008.
Jim later met Bonnie Baker, and they were married on November 27, 2010. They divided their time between their Florida and Wisconsin homes. Jim and Bonnie enjoyed traveling, visiting family, going on cruises, and working in their garden.
Jim was known for his selfless generosity throughout his life. He was actively involved in his community whether it was rebuilding a church, being President of the Village Board, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, being a member of the Lion’s Club, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion, or helping with the many projects within his own family and the Village. He was honored to be Grand Marshall of the 2023 Dam Days Grande Parade.
Some of Jim’s favorite things to do were attending his kids’ and grandkids’ activities, marching in the famous and talented El Paso Marching band, gardening, entertaining family and friends, and playing tennis. Jim was an avid tennis player and found tennis partners worldwide wherever he flew. One of his proudest accomplishments was starting the annual Northwest Airlines tennis tournament. He ran this tournament for many years. It is now the Delta Airlines Tennis tournament, and he is recognized as the founding father.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Mae Houdek; wife Dede; siblings Arnold Houdek and Aldeane Horning; father-in-law and mother-in-law Kenneth and Marian Coughenour; and sister-in-law Ann Coughenour.
Jim is survived by his wife Bonnie, his sister Jeanne (Gerald) Lauenroth, his children: Elizabeth (Gregg) Deutsch, James ‘Chip’ (Jaime) Houdek, Catherine (Royce) Keehr, John (Laurie) Houdek, Laura (Scott) Kish, Karen (Bill) Fesenmaier, Debra (Craig) Jilek, and Cynthia (Shawn) Harrison. He is also survived by stepchildren Scott Bullard and Jackie (Glenn) Graham and 25 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren and many, many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Monday, September 23, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Spring Valley. A mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 11a.m. Burial was in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Spring Valley.
Honorary pallbearers were James K. ‘Chip’ Houdek, John Houdek, and Scott Bullard. Pallbearers were Jim’s sons-in-law: Gregg Deutsch, Royce Keehr, Scott Kish, Bill Fesenmaier, Craig Jilek, and Shawn Harrison.
Keehr Funeral Home, (keehrfuneralhome.com) Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.
