Passed away, peacefully after a long and courageous struggle with Parkinson’s, at Maple Manor, Tillsonburg, on April 18th, 2020 Carla Marianne (Straeter) Houtman, in her 86th year. Carla was born on October 15th, 1933 in The Hague, The Netherlands, to the late Henk Straeter and late former Trudy Klaassen. Carla married the love of her life in 1958, her husband of 62 wonderful years, Juriaan Hendrik Houtman, of Tillsonburg. Carla and Juri spent their early years in Peru then migrated to Canada in 1970. Carla has been very active in her church and community, participating in numerous service clubs including the Red Hat Society and the Melody Maker choir group. Carla leaves behind her three much loved daughters: Caroline (Victor) Miller of Thunder Bay, On; Barbera (Dennis) Ommen of Brookings, South Dakota; and Karen (George) Rowe of Thunder Bay, On. Special grandmother to seven grandchildren: Ashley, Leanne and Kaitland Miller, Allison and Dylan McIsaac, Adrianna and Megan Rowe.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the fact that the majority of Carla’s family members do not reside in Tillsonburg a virtual time of reflection and memorial service will take place with Pastor Steve Amorin of the First Baptist Church in the near future. Relatives and friends are invited to share their favorite photos, memories and express condolences, on Carla’s online tribute page (at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com). Memorial donations in her memory to the “First Baptist Church Building Fund” or to “Parkinson Canada,” can be made through Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes- Burial and Cremation Services Inc., Tillsonburg (519-842-4238), which has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.

“The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses, personal support workers and staff at Maple Manor in Tillsonburg. Your care and kindness toward Carla and our family will always be appreciated”