Delores Marie (Misterek) Houlden, age 93, of Elwood Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 after a short illness. She was born September 3, 1932 in Ellsworth, Kansas to Byron and Louise (Debban) Misterek.

She attended a rural school near the Misterek Ranch (southwest of Elwood) and then graduated with the Elwood High School class of 1950. She attended the Nebraska State Teachers College in Kearney for one year.

Delores married her high school sweetheart, Eldon Houlden on July 30, 1950. The couple spent many years farming the Misterek Ranch and raising their three children: Kathy (Jay) Beck, Bob and Erin (Kurt) Kugler. Delores taught school several years and then began working at the Gosper County Treasurer’s office. After working seven years in the Treasurer’s office, she began duties as the Gosper County Treasurer in 1965 until her retirement in 2000. After retirement, she enjoyed working for a time at Little Angels Day Care and as a substitute teacher for Elwood and Eustis schools. She said many times that working with the youth was her greatest enjoyment. Delores also was an accomplished pianist and organist for Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Delores loved having a big vegetable and flower garden. She had a great story about her big garden out by the well on the farm. While picking beans she looked down to see a rattle snake in the next row. The snake was soon dispatched and the bean patch was neglected for a few days after that.

Survivors include her children Kathy (Jay) Beck, Bob and Erin, all of Elwood; 10 grandchildren- Jeff (DeAnn) Beck of Elwood, Sara Beck of Lexington, David (Marsena) of Elwood and Lara (Glen) Strickland of Holdrege, JB Houlden of Battle Creek, Kara Houlden of Lincoln, Kendra Johnson of Overland Park, KS, Kole (Heather) Kugler of Kearney, Tyler (Lindsey) Kugler of Johnson Lake and Ben (Ana) Kugler of Overland Park, KS.; 32 ½ great grandchildren and 5 great great grandkids. Also surviving is sister-in-law Marilyn Houlden, of Salina, KS and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Eldon; her parents and brothers Dean and Lee Misterek.