Larry Houdek, 77, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Sunday, January 16, 2022, at his home in Columbus.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, January 21, 2022, at 10:30 AM, at St. Anthony Catholic Church (562 17th Avenue) in Columbus with Father Patrick Harrison celebrating the Mass. Interment will be at 1:15 PM on Friday, in the Clarkson Catholic Cemetery, Clarkson, Nebraska. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home with a 7:00 PM Vigil Service. Visitation will continue on Friday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to Paws & Claws Adoption Center (2124 13th Street), Columbus NE.

Larry was born on a small farm in Stanton County, Nebraska, on September 24, 1944, to Emil and Mayme (Spulak) Houdek. He was the second born of seven children. He graduated from Clarkson High School in 1962 and finished his secondary education (Associates Degree) while working for Becton Dickinson. Larry retired from Becton Dickinson after 35+ years of dedicated service. Larry married Judy Anne Buckendahl on April 19, 1965 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Stanton, NE. To this union were born three daughters including Victoria Hinrichs (Michael), Katherine Havlat (Jeffrey) and Tracy Alves (Robert).

Larry was an avid golfer, bowler, and took great pride in staying fit. He had a lifelong love of buying and selling cars. He was a lover of the Lord, laughter, music, motorcycles, and especially his cats Pixie and Dixie. But most of all he was a lover of life. He loved his family fiercely and was a friend to all. Larry never met a stranger and always had an abundance of really bad jokes.

He was a 1991 Charter and Lifetime member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. His Wing family brought him great joy. Larry's beautiful soul will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.

Larry is survived by siblings Janice Scott (Doug), Emily Groene and Kenneth Houdek, brother-in-law Robert Zegers and sister-in-law Leona Houdek. Daughters Victoria Hinrichs (Michael), Katherine Havlat (Jeffrey) and Tracy Alves (Robert). Grandchildren Lindsey Menke (Keith), Brandon Havlat (Shayla), Ashley Meredith (Jess), Joshua Hinrichs (Ashley), Vincent and Anthony Alves and five great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Emil and Mayme Houdek, siblings Melvin Houdek, Donnie Houdek and Mary Lou Zegers.