Sandra E. Houston, age 81, of Holland passed away Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Holland Hospital.
Sandra was born on a warm, sunny day on July 30, 1944, to Arthur and Fanny Nelson, she joined two older sisters Arlene and Carol.
In high school Sandra played the clarinet in the band, loved playing softball with her church and driving her father’s homemade wooden boat. In 1965 she married Ralph Houston, who she met at Bethany Church in Chicago. She ministered with Ralph at Doster RCA in MI, Forreston RCA in IL and then later at Immanuel RCA in Fennville, MI.
In 1979 the family went back to Holland, MI where she served with her husband at the Holland City Mission (Gateway) until 1993. That same year she began working at Baker Book House and Resthaven Care Center (20+ years) and being a helpmate to Ralph at Immanuel RCA. Sandra was very active in the community volunteering at Resthaven calling pastors and pianist to lead worship until Jan. 2026; she also organized and called pastors and musicians for the Outdoor Service in Fennville even until the day before her stroke. She also volunteered with Ralph as Chaplains-on-call at Holland Hospital. She also visited many shut-ins and three she visited weekly until her fall in 2025. She also led a Bible Study for 5 years with special friends Steve, Michael and Chris.
Sandra was a PRAYER WARRIOR, and her living room was the War Room – where she prayed daily for an hour for every family member and many, many friends followed her devotions and Bible reading. Sandra was an avid reader of Christian Fiction and listened to her favorite Christian radio station WBBN.
Sandra was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Fanny Nelson (VanderAa), her beloved husband Rev. Ralph Houston, her sister Arlene (Jack) Otto, and her sister Carol Burnam.
She is survived by her children: Susan and Bruce Smith of Holland, MI; David and Helen Houston of Muskegon, MI; Ann and Frank Wilson of Holland, MI; and Daniel Houston of Lynden, WA; grandchildren: Brandon and Allie Broekhuizen of Hamilton, MI, Nathan Broekhuizen of Zeeland, MI, Emily and Levi Painter of Saint John, IL and Lauren Broekhuizen of Zeeland, MI. Tony and Peyton Houston of Muskegon, MI; Sarah and Matt Hassell of Holland, MI, Bethany and Todd DeGarmo of Grand Rapids, MI; Sadie, Silas and Sawyer Houston of Lynden WA; 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and special friends, Mark (Amy) Burnam of New Lenox, IL; Carole Scholten of Holland, MI and Doug Broekhuizen of Holland, MI.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, April 24 at Maplewood Reformed Church, 133 East 34th Street in Holland, MI. Rev. Dr. James Ellis will be officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Thursday, April 23 at Dykstra Funeral Homes – Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street in Holland, MI and from 10:00 am – 10:45 am prior to the service at the church.
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