Josephine E. Houdek, formerly of Owatonna, died on Thursday, March 20, 2003 at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin, where she was a resident. A Mass of Christian Burial is set for Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 512 South Elm, Owatonna with the Rev. Thomas Hargesheimer officiating. Interment will be that afternoon at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. Friends may greet the family from 2-4 p.m. at the Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna on Saturday with a Catholic Daughter’s rosary at 2 p.m. The visitation will continue from 1-1:45 p.m. at the funeral home on Sunday.

Josephine was born July 13, 1902 in Westfield Township, rural Dodge County, to Joseph and Matilda (Suchanek) Houdek. She attended country school in Westfield Township. She graduated from the American School of Chicago, where she took correspondence business courses. As a young woman, she worked for Cashman Feed Company for 10 years. She later went to work at Federated Insurance Company in various departments for 33 years. She took pride in being the first woman chosen as the head of the claims department at Federated.

Josephine never married. Her nieces and nephew were a special part of her life. She had many interests that included gardening, playing cards, photography, traveling and making crafts. After Josephine retired from Federated, she spent winters in Phoenix with her sister. She was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of America in Owatonna, Owatonna Camera Club, Garden Club, and the Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary.

She is survived by seven nieces and one nephew: David Renchin of Albert Lea; Dorothy Virnig of Billings, Mo.; Theresa Kasper of Ellendale; Frances Blakestad of Albert Lea; Margaret Koziolek of Hartland; Sylvia Ginder of Austin; Alice Arnold of Medford; and Rosemary Besch of Blaine. She was preceded in death by two sisters: Anna Houdek and Dora (Houdek) Renchin.

Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.