Gene Houtz

Gene Houtz, 74, of Marysville, KS, died March 9, 2020 at his home. Visitation is Thursday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary. A rosary service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church in Marysville. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 13 at St. Gregory's Catholic Church. Father Nathan Haverland will officiate. The pallbearers will be Mark Pavlacka, Jim Pavlacka, Brett Grauerholz, Brian Strunk, Steve Moser and Larry Schmitz. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Gene was born on December 23, 1945, the son of Herbert and Leona (Koch) Houtz in Junction City, Kansas. He graduated from Marysville High School in 1963 and earned a bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in economics from Emporia State University in 1967. After graduating college he worked for the State of Kansas in Topeka with Governor Bob Docking. He returned to Marysville in 1968 and started Houtz Insurance Agency with his father and was later joined by his brother. During his 46 year career on Broadway, he acquired numerous insurance agencies. He sold the agency and retired in 2014. Gene was active in the Marysville business community. He served on the city council, St. Gregory’s school board, board of directors for Community Memorial Hospital, Marysville Mutual Insurance Company and United Bank and Trust. Gene and his father, Herb, participated in an industrial development committee integral in bringing Tension Envelope to Marysville. He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Gene was always interested in politics, current events and was an avid follower of the news. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially granddaughter Leona. Gene leaves behind his wife of almost 38 years Kimberly; daughters Lindsey (Houtz) Keating and Haylee (Houtz) (Jonathan) York; beloved granddaughter, Leona Keating; sisters, Shirley (Houtz) Leem, Lynne Houtz; brother, Brad Houtz; sister-in-law, Susan Houtz; in-laws, Carl and Judy Houk, Barbara Baker; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; baby brother, Galen Houtz; and sister Sharon (Houtz) Pavlacka. A memorial fund has been established and designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gene Houtz, please visit our flower store.