Julie Houts

Julie Paige Houts was the first child born February 17th, 1977 to Leland and Anne (Folrath) Gerhart in Merriam, Kansas. Julie attended Blue Valley North and Blue Valley Northwest High Schools in Overland Park, Kansas, graduating in 1995 from Blue Valley Northwest. That same year, she met the love of her life, Andrew Streeter Houts. Andrew is the son of Ken and Cheryl Houts of Prairie Village, Kansas. Julie attended the University of Missouri-Columbia for four years, graduating Suma Cum Laude in 1999 with a degree in Journalism and a minor in French. Andrew and Julie married July 17th, 1999 at Colonial Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Missouri. They welcomed Alexander Streeter May 27th, 2004. Julie truly could balance it all as she continued her education at the University of Kansas graduating with her Master’s of Business Administration in 2006. Shortly after graduation, their family was complete with the addition of Kate Marie September 30th, 2007.

Throughout the span of her career Julie worked at Deloitte, multiple financial firms (spanning from venture capital to non-profit organizations), and finally found her passion in interior design making things beautiful with Laura McCroskey. In addition to her career, Julie never missed an opportunity to show up for someone whether it was her kids, her husband, or her friends. Not only did she show up, but she got things done and got them done right with love and kindness. Julie loved to welcome friends and family into her home, with a perfect lipstick smile and a ‘hey beauty’, for the holidays or just a random weekday. The Houts home was known as a place for gatherings, warmth, laughter, good food and even better wine.

Julie was a joyful and devoted follower of Jesus Christ. She valued people and relationships more than anything. She lead a church small group with Andrew, served at her children’s school as PTO president, and organized the Kids TLC Gala. She was the most selfless and kind person, always putting others’ needs far above her own. Everyone she came into contact with would feel known, loved, and understood in one conversation. Julie was adored by her family and loved family vacations and championing both Kate and Alexander.

Julie was preceded in death by her father, Leland Gerhart. She is survived by her loving husband, Andrew Houts, of Leawood, Kansas and her children whom she fiercely loved, Alexander, 17 and Kate, 14. She will be remembered and forever loved by her mother Anne Gerhart of Leawood, Kansas; her sister Kelly Weber and husband Ed Weber of Malibu, California as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who have loved Julie and her family through the valleys, mountaintops, and everywhere in between.

Julie was loved by so many while she was here with us and made an eternal impact on those that God put in her path.