Obituary of Dorothea "Ellen" Houwaart

Dorothea “Ellen” Houwaart, age 81 of Palm City, Florida, formerly from Lewiston, died unexpectedly on Tuesday January 23, 2018 in the Martin Memorial Hospital in Stuart, FL.

Ellen was born March 16, 1936 in Jakarta, Indonesia, the daughter of the late Petrus and Johanna (Van Eden) Vander Lee. She grew up in Holland and attended college there. On November 5, 1956 she married the love of her life, Gerardus M. “Jerry” Houwaart, in DeHague, Holland. Following their marriage they moved to America to live their dream. 

Ellen's greatest joy was her daughters and family.  Especially she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Anyone who knew Ellen, loved her.  She was always positive, loving and uplifting to whoever she was with. Ellen was employed in the Dietary Department of Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston for over 20 years, retiring in 2000.

Her husband, Jerry, predeceased her on November 14, 2017 after 62 years of marriage. She is survived by her daughters, Ann Burnett of Ransomville, Dorothy (Michael) Nassoiy of Hamburg, NY, Cheryl (Robert) Haslinger of Victor, NY, and Carol (Steve Diez) Houwaart-Diez of Palm City, FL; her grandchildren, Stephanie (Rhylan) Hurst, Lyndsay (Dom) Clark, Crystal Smith, Gerargus (Staci) Smith, Renee & Alea Nassoiy, Rachel, Lauren & Kyle Haslinger, Ellen & Natalie Diez; four great grandchildren; and a sister, Evelyn (Steven) Sands of San Diego, CA. She was predeceased by a brother, John VanderLee, and two sisters, Sylvia Martin and Helen Elbracht.

Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville on Saturday, January 27, from 4 - 8 pm. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 pm with the Rev. Matthew Worley officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Way of Martin County, 10 SE Central Parkway, Stuart, FL 34494.