Reinfriede C. Houseman Obituary (1932

Reinfriede Carmen Houseman, known as "Carmen" by many and "Oma" by her grandkids, passed away at home with family at her bedside shortly after midnight on November 20, 2021. She was 89 years old. Carmen was a homemaker and military wife, landing in Aberdeen, MD where she lived for 50 years. In the summer of 2020, she moved to Loxahatchee, FL due to health concerns and to be with her daughter for assistance with her care. Shortly after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and went on in-home hospice in early 2021. Carmen was born in Herschfeld, Germany on March 3, 1932. She lived through the hardships of World War II and losing her mother at the age of 13. It was these initial life experiences that shaped her into the tough yet tender-hearted person she was. She met her late husband, Howard W. Houseman, Jr. when he was stationed in Germany. She shared the story of how her father was present when they first met, and he encouraged her to give him a chance because he seemed like a good man. They married on October 3, 1957 in Frankfurt, Germany. Just after they married, she traveled alone by ship to her new home in the United States. Her daughter, Virginia, was born less than a year later and her son, Vernon, almost three years after that. The family was stationed in various places during Howard's Army career, including Hawaii and Germany. When stationed in Germany, Carmen would host coffee with other military wives and helped them navigate living in Germany. The family eventually settled in Aberdeen, MD, where Carmen built a strong community over the years. She was a longtime member of the Aberdeen Golden Age Club, Delaware Saengerbund German Club, and Red Hat Society. Aberdeen was her true home, a place she especially missed in her final months of life. She and Howard also enjoyed many years of involvement at Morris Meadows Campground in Freeland, MD, often participating in the community's activities and events. She loved a good German polka and was known by her family for her fondness of the "chicken dance"... and her love for ALDI! Carmen loved to cook, bake, crochet, knit, play cards, and complete word search puzzles. Over the years she donated her crochet and knit creations, like scarves and hats to service members overseas, newborns at the local hospital, and other organizations. Family and friends were often the recipients of these items too. She had a big heart with a lot of love to give and concern for others, along with a healthy dose of stubbornness, sass, and a sense of humor. While Carmen was extremely proud of her German heritage, she was equally proud to be an American citizen. She had a great admiration and appreciation for service members -it wasn't uncommon for her to stop someone at a store to thank them for their service. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, on June 7, 2011, as well as her parents Georg and Else (Bruderlein) Fruh, and brother Reinhold Fruh of Germany. She is survived by her daughter Virginia Malkemes (Ed Parks) of Loxahatchee, FL; son, Vernon Houseman (Linda) of Rising Sun, MD; grandchildren, Natascha Bohmann (Darren) of Clackamas, OR and Rusty Malkemes (Jeanna), and great grandchildren, Arlo and Augie, of St. Joseph, MI. She is further survived by her younger brother, Berthold Fruh of Herschfeld, Germany along with half-sister Carmen Fruh of Bad Neustadt an der Saale, and nieces and nephews in Germany. Interment will occur at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, where she will rest with her beloved husband, Howard. Donations can be made in her memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org) or any cancer organization you prefer (Carmen was also a breast cancer survivor). Funeral arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the Lakeside Funeral Home & Cremation Care Family, "Where Every Life is Cherished & Every Family is Treasured" ADDRESS: 11347 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL. 33411 Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lakesidefuneralcare.com for the Houseman family.