TERESA HOUSEMAN died peacefully on Saturday, February 23th, in Chico with family at her side. Teresa was born in Wibaux, Montana on her maternal Grandparent’s farm, February 22, 1931, to parents Gertrude and Bernard Ponke. She was the youngest girl of their 9 children; with 4 older sisters, 3 older brothers and 1 baby brother they moved from their family farm to Chico, CA during the great depression.
Times were hard but the love of family was strong. She met a handsome young sailor, Al Houseman, through her brothers and they married a few years later in 1947. They were fortunate to share a life together for 52 years until his death in 1999.
Together they raised 3 children, and bought an orchard on the Midway in 1964, where she lived for 52 years. During their marriage they both worked hard and enjoyed the balance between work and play. He loved to hunt and fish and she loved spending time with family, so they did both.
He took the kids rock hunting and gold mining, hunting and fishing, and he was famous for teaching young people to water ski. She packed for the outings and prepared the food, and together many fun times were had by all. Teresa took her Catholic upbringing seriously and made sure that her family followed in the Catholic tradition at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
During Teresa’s married years she worked at the Tube Factory, Mr. G’s Restaurant, Continental Nut Company as an FDA nut Inspector, and finally worked in food services at Sylvester’s Restaurant at CSUC; always keeping the perspective of family first. In her retirement after being widowed, she joined the Red Hat Society, where she was able to go on outings with the Red Hat Honeys. Teresa was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her eldest son Robert A. Houseman; husband Al Houseman; her parents, Gertrude and Bernard Ponke; brothers: Leo, Frank, Ben, and Don Ponke; and her sisters: Eleanor Hutler, Margie McCoy, and Francis Shaffer; 4 nieces and 6 nephews. She is survived by her children Diane Pimentel (Petaluma), and Dan Houseman (Chico); 7 grandchildren: Lisa King (Santa Rosa), Anthony Pimentel II (Hollywood, FL), Heidi Fisher (Sacramento), Stephen Pimentel (Santa Rosa), Kristi Hudson (Petaluma), Daniel Houseman (Chico), and Emily Odle (Chico); 15 great grandchildren; 2 sisters: Ann Logan (Chico), and Marie Sitton (Longview, WA); 8 nephews and 7 nieces. She lived a good life and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Butte Home Health Care and Hospice. The family thanks all those who have had a meaningful impact on Teresa’s life including the caregivers and medical professionals who cared for her during the months leading up to her death. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Teresa Houseman please visit our Sympathy Store.
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