Marlene Kay Houser

Marlene Kay Seelos Houser passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 13th, 2024. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah to Martin and Deloris (Dolly) Seelos in March 1939. She is survived by her children Darrell Houser (Cheri) and Annette Falvo (Frank), four grandchildren, Timothy and Nicholas Houser, Jamie Olsen (Carter) and Kelsey Falvo (Jackson Wood), as well as her brother Marty and sister Mary Ann. Marlene is preceded in death by her husband Keith, her parents, sisters Louise and Margaret and brothers-in-law Ward, Elmer, Eddie and John. 

She was raised in Salt Lake City and attended West High School. In 1955 she met the love of her life, Keith Houser. They were married in 1957 at Grace Methodist Church in Salt Lake City. Marlene was passionate about Seelos Family Reunions held every summer and had near-perfect attendance from its inception in the 1950s until it ended in 2021. She was sure to always make the rounds and check in with everyone from the other seven branches of the family. 

When she and Keith first moved to the Denver area in 1965, Marlene longed to return home to Salt Lake City for the Christmas holidays. When it became apparent that doing so was often impractical, she and others in the neighborhood (aka “The Townhouse Bunch”) formed a surrogate family group that led to some very memorable celebrations and lifelong friendships. After moving to their new home in Lakewood, she continued that tradition and added even more great friends to her list. No matter how busy she was she would always show up with a hearty meal whenever someone was in crisis. 

As a young mom Marlene sewed most of Annette’s clothes, which often included matching outfits for the dolls. Marlene was also excellent in the kitchen. Our family was fortunate to have enjoyed family dinners each and every evening, which she planned and cooked. She also enjoyed taking the family out to dinner to celebrate special occasions at her favorite restaurants, which included Dino’s, Jose O’Shea’s and Sweet Tomatoes. Marlene was great at planning and executing family vacations including houseboat excursions on Lake Powell and trips to Grand Lake, Colorado and Diamond Guest Ranch in Chugwater, Wyoming (where the grandkids learned to ride both horses and bikes). Marlene loved visiting Cocoa Beach, Florida when Keith was involved in a launch, and was always proud of his career in the Space Program. The greatest family trip, however, was when her and Keith booked the entire family on an Alaskan cruise to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary… best time ever. 

She was a big fan of collecting the state quarters and would always check her change (and anybody else’s) in search of the next gem for her collection… growing it twenty-five cents at a time.

Marlene loved going to Costco and Dollar Tree to take advantage of all the great value that buying in bulk provides. She would then turn around and give half or more of it away in donations, ensuring that “everybody wins”.

Marlene believed in giving back through her volunteer service with Lakewood Police. She was especially proud of the work she did with the Christmas Cheer for Children program which helps local impoverished families get the kind of Christmas that many of us take for granted. 

Bingo was her middle name-o. Marlene loved playing bingo, especially at the Lakewood Elks Lodge where she was not only a “dabber”, but an involved member of the community. She brought goodies to share with other players and donated items to assist in the charitable efforts of the Elks.

The Lakewood United Methodist Church was her source for spiritual inspiration for 58 years. She made every effort to attend each Sunday, and the holiday services as well. Her favorite was the Christmas Eve Candlelight celebration. 

Marlene Houser will be missed by family, friends and her community. Marlene’s kindness and humanity leaves a positive example for us all.

Services will be held Saturday, December 21 at 11:00 am at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1390 Brentwood Street in Lakewood. Interment will be in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In lieu of flowers Marlene’s family asks that donations be made in her memory to Lakewood United Methodist Church (1390 South Brentwood, Lakewood, CO 80214), Lakewood Elks Lodge 1777 (1455 Newland Street, Lakewood, CO 80214), or West High School Alumni Association in Salt Lake City, Utah (info@westalumni.org).