Pauline Houtz-Dukelow

Marjorie “Pauline” (Clark) Houtz-Dukelow of Derby, KS, passed away August 3rd at the age of 100.

Positivity was Pauline’s superpower. She was happiest surrounded with family and friends. The “more the merrier” was her motto. She had a big loud personality and loved to dine with the Bodacious Babes, play cards with the Fruitcakes, lunch with PEO sisters, and see live theater with her Golden Girls. Costume parties would find her decked out as a gorilla, a cat, a clown, a showgirl, or even as Santa Claus. Known for fun phone calls to friends and family, they were often greeted with a rendition of “You Are My Sunshine”. Friends were sometimes gifted with bright feather boas or lighted flashing jewelry. Renting a limousine for a joy ride to a party or to see Christmas lights would set her little heart ablaze for it was a party on wheels. With her daredevil spirit she celebrated her 70th birthday by doing a solo parachute jump followed by a couple of hot air balloon rides (one was in Africa). She spread joy with her very positive attitude in multiple foreign countries through Friendship Force and Abilene’s Sister City program with Minori, Japan. She believed when you’re smiling the whole world smiles with you. Pauline’s generous giving spirit and enthusiasm for life will be remembered and her sunshine sorely missed.

Pauline was born on July 15, 1926, in Selden, KS, to Vern and LuVina (Rogers) Clark. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1944.

Pauline married Eldon Houtz June 1, 1945. They were married for 49 years until his passing in 1994. As a farm wife, who also worked in town, she spent her vacation hauling wheat during harvest season. Pauline retired from Southwestern Bell in Abilene, KS after 32 years, worked at Royer’s Clothing in Abilene for 12 years, followed by being a housemother for Alpha Xi Delta sorority and Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at Kansas State Universe and honored as Sorority Housemother of the Year in1996.

Pauline had a heart-warming second chance for love when she married James S. Dukelow in May 1999.

Surviving are two daughters, Diane (Ken) Mulanax of Derby, KS, Donita (Shaun) Crossland of The Villages, FL and stepson, Jim Dukelow, Jr (Kitty) of Benton, WA, six grandchildren, Michael (Jill) Rogers of Kansas City KS, Eric Rogers of DeSoto, KS, Ryan (Crystal) Rogers of Raymore, MO, Craig (Ashley) Mulanax of Cashmere, WA, Lisa (Spencer) Blake-Walls of Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada. and Ann Dukelow (Derek Gruber) of Roslyn, WA, six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Vern and LuVina Clark, her first husband, Eldon A. Houtz, in 1994 and Jim S. Dukelow, Sr in 2000, her brothers, Darrel Clark, Loman Clark, and sister, Arlene Dawson.

Services are pending.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Woodlawn United Methodist Church Endowment Fund in Derby, KS or to the Talmage Public Library in Talmage, KS.