Beatrice J. Houtz, 91, passed away peacefully at her residence on Monday, May 28, 2012, with her family and care givers at her side. Bea was born in Somers on November 15, 1920, the oldest daughter of the late J. Henry and Dagmar (nee: Christensen) Buechner.

On August 15, 1942, in Atonement Lutheran Church, Racine, she was united in marriage to Charles Houtz who preceded her in death on December 6, 1996. Bea graduated from the Racine-Kenosha County Teacher's College in Union Grove, WI.  She later served as the Somers Postmaster for over 22 years.

Surviving are her children, David (Elizabeth "Betty") Houtz and Janet Houtz, all of Somers; and her granddaughter, Jennifer (R.J.) Fergus, of Racine. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Michelle (Fred) Kellner and her sisters Beverly (Leon) Dreger and Joyce (Thomas) Cronin.

Her funeral service will be held in the Somers Community United Church of Christ, 9918-12 ^th St., Somers, on Friday, June 1 ^st , at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will be in the church on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will immediately follow in Oakwood Cemetery at highways 31 and 12 ^th Street in Kenosha County.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Health Care Network (HCN)

(904 State Street, Racine, WI 53404) are suggested. Specify memorials to Greater Racine Mammogram Coalition at HCN to help uninsured and underinsured women who have not had a mammogram in two years.

A special "thank you" and much love to caregivers Jennifer and Christine.