Leonard Dennis Houle Obituary (2023)

Leonard Dennis Houle passed away peacefully on August 13, 2023, at the age of 90. He was born at his aunts house in Yakima, on November 9, 1932, to Lucien and Lucille (Robillard) Houle. He was raised on the family hop farm outside of Wapato and worked closely with his father from an early age. His Roman Catholic faith was important to him, and he often served mass as a boy. He graduated from Toppenish High School in 1951, where he met the love of his life, Rosie Heit (a.k.a. the beautiful blue-eyed blonde). Dad attended WSU for one year and returned home to farm hops with his parents and to marry Rosie in August 1952. Dad and Mom raised five children on the family farm. After retiring from farming, Dad and Mom built a house in the Yakima area and traveled for many years all over the U.S. in their motorhome. They also spent a wonderful month on the Tahitian island of Moorea in a house on the beach snorkeling daily. Another of their favorite trips was to Italy. Dad especially loved Rome and the Vatican. In later years, Dad and Mom became caretakers for our elderly grandparents. Dad then became Moms caretaker as she suffered from dementia. He kept her home as long as possible and visited her every day for six and a half years until she passed. In his last years, Dads Parkinsons Disease altered his lifestyle and body, and slowly took away his independence, which he fought for until the end. His deep faith in God and the promise of being reunited with Mom eased his heart in his final days. Dad is preceded in death by his precious wife, Rosie, his beloved parents, and his only son, Roger. He is survived by his four daughters and their families, Christine and Kenneth Gamache and their children, Nicholas, Jacqueline, Allison, and Andrea (Mitch Sander), Barbara and Duane Groth and their children, Derek (LeAnna) and Jerad (Rachel), Diane and Dave Pinkham and their children, Juliana Moreno (Mark), Christopher Houle and Michelle, Debra Houle Nunez and her son, Mario Nunez Jr., daughter-in-law, Armetha Smiskin and her children, Dylan, Blake (Desiree), and Kirk Houle, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. We would like to thank all the people who helped take care of Dad in his last years, including Mike Cicero, Amber Martinez and her staff at Lolly Angel House, April May PA and her staff, and the staff from Home Health Services. We greatly appreciate the support, kindness, and care you provided. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, at 10:00am. A Graveside Service will follow at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery in Moxee. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com. Mass of Christian Burial Holy Family Chapel Monday, August 21, 2023 10:00 AM 5315 Tieton Drive Yakima, WA 98908 Graveside Service Holy Rosary Cemetery Monday, August 21, 2023 Holy Rosary Road Moxee, WA 98936 Immediately following Service.