Lena Mae VanHouden

Springfield, Missouri

Lena Mae VanHouden, 78 years, 7 months, 22 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on December 13, 2022 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO with her family by her side.

Lena was born April 22, 1944 in Ozark County, MO to Lester and Lona (Solomon) Duckworth.

On March 9, 1963, Lena and Boyd VanHouden were united in marriage in Ava, MO and to this union they were blessed with two children, Kalynn and Jason.

Lena was retired from the Missouri Highway Patrol in Springfield as a Special Assistant for 35 years.

She was a Christian and had attended the Ava Destination Church. Lena enjoyed quilting, working on the farm taking care of the cattle, mowing, raking leaves and picking rocks. Lena loved attending her grandchildren's sports events and any of their endeavors. She had numerous lifelong friends that she loved  from the Ava community and the Highway Patrol that she enjoyed spending time with. She was a joy to be around and always had a smile on her face. She was an awesome wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed!

Lena was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Boyd in 2015; three siblings, Jim Duckworth, Mary Iva Bruffett, little brother Marvin Eugene and a grandson, Jacob VanHouden.

She is survived by her two children; Kalynn McMurray of Oldfield, MO and Jason VanHouden and Christina Allison of Springfield, MO;  five grandchildren, Shelby, Cody, Rachelle, Jaron and Ryder; two great grandchildren, Carter and Rylee; three extended grandchildren, Autumn, Nathan and Calli; numerous people she loved and adored.

Funeral services for Lena will be Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO with burial following in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service on Saturday from 1:00 P.M. to service time. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.