" You have my deepest condolences for your loss of Robert. Death is truly an enemy of all of us. Our loving heavenly father Jehovah knows the pain you are in and has promised a resurrection soon to come. That promise can be found in the Bible book of Revelation in chapter 21 and verses 3,4."
In loving memory of
Robert Charles Houdek
July 22, 1928 - September 19, 2018
Robert Charles Houdek, of Bryant, died Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at Aspirus Langlade Hospital. He was 90 years old. He was born on July 22, 1928, at home in Neva, a son of the late Charles and Ella (Johanek) Houdek. He married Phyllis Johnson on September 28, 1949 at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Antigo. She preceded him in death on September 13, 2000.
He attended Springbrook grade school and was a graduate of Antigo High School, class of 1946.
Mr. Houdek was a lifelong farmer, having lived in the same home all 90 years of his life. Robert's father died when he was 16 years old. At that time he assisted his mother in operating the farm. He later purchased it and in 1980 he established Houdek Farms Inc. Through Robert's hard work and dedication, the farm received many awards throughout the years for dairy production. In 2016 the farm received the Centennial Farm award for 100 years of Houdek family ownership.
He was a member of American Milk Producers Inc. and Midwest Breeders, and was an elected delegate for both.
Mr. Houdek was a member of St. Wencel Catholic Church, having put in many volunteer hours, including helping build the current church.
He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed trips to the casino and watching the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. He had a passion for M&Ms, ice cream, and desserts.
Survivors include four sons, Tom (Janice) Houdek of Bryant, David (Theresa) Houdek of Bryant, Jerry (Laura) Houdek of Deerbrook and Ron (Dawn) Houdek of Bryant; a daughter, Patty (David) Hafner of Bryant; daughter-in-law, Lisa Houdek of Bryant; 17 grandchildren, Jeff, Scott (Angel Zarda), Mike (Emily) and Michelle Houdek, Mary Indovina, Andrea Houdek, Amy (Jeremy) Navokofski, Melissa (Dave) Bellis, Ashley (Matt) Rhyner, Kristin (Kris) Lehman, Joshua (friend Sarah) Houdek, Kevin Hafner, Brad (Carina) Hafner, Kaitlyn (fiancé Mark Hilger), Aaron, Nikole and Erika Houdek; 10 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Arleen Plzak of Antigo, Evelyn Schmoll of Wausau, Dorothy Mach of Appleton and Shirley Drexler of Chicago; a brother, Eugene (Eunice) Houdek of Antigo; and a brother-in-law, Mel Walters of Antigo.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Randy Houdek, two grandsons, Nicholas and David Houdek; a sister, Elaine Walters; and four brothers-in-law, Ben Schmoll, Daniel Plzak, Harry Mach and John Drexler.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Wencel Catholic Church, Neva with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Entombment will take place in Queen of Peace Mausoleum, Antigo.
Visitation will be Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home.
A parish wake service will be held Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.